NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — insurgency — 2006 — 06-aug-dec — Viewing Item

British control of basra iraq continues { October 2006 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-22T164143Z_01_L11746436_RTRUKOC_0_UK-BRITAIN-IRAQ.xml&WTmodLoc=Top+News-C1-Headline-2 http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-22T164143Z_01_L11746436_RTRUKOC_0_UK-BRITAIN-IRAQ.xml&WTmodLoc=Top+News-C1-Headline-2 UK may hand Basra to Iraq in early 2007 Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:42 PM GMT By Sophie Walker LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Wednesday it could hand back Basra province to Iraqi control early next year, for the first time putting a date on a major step towards reducing its presence in the country. "The progress of our current operation in Basra gives us confidence that we may be able to achieve transition in that province ... at some point next spring," Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told parliament. Britain, Washington's biggest ally in the Iraq war, has previously refused to set timetables for withdrawal. But a U.S. defence official said last month Britain hoped to withdraw troops within 12 months to focus on the war in Afghanistan. With troops in both countries, Britain's forces are stretched, particularly as soldiers in southern Afghanistan are embroiled in a fierce struggle against a revitalised Taliban -- which says it is planning a fresh offensive when winter ends. Beckett's announcement comes amid growing opposition to the war in Britain and as U.S. President George W. Bush rethinks strategy in Iraq after a crushing mid-term election defeat. Britain has 7,200 troops in southern Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra. The city, Iraq's second biggest, remains dangerous with Shi'ite factions battling each other for control and British troops sometimes targeted. Britain has handed over authority to Iraqi forces for two of the four southern provinces -- Muthanna and Dhi Qar -- it was given responsibility for after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. Maysan province is due to be ready for handover in January. Asked if this meant British troops could be out of Iraq in a year, a government source said: "This is a process not an event. Responsibility for different areas is gradually handed over until the point comes when the whole province is handed over." "After that multinational forces will continue to be available to support the Iraqi authorities if needed." Britain's Defence Ministry is prepared to hand over control of Basra as soon as possible but any such move would depend on conditions on the ground, a ministry source said. In Basra, British military spokesman Captain Tane Dunlop said the handover would depend largely on the success of Operation Sinbad, due to end in January or February, which aims to retrain Basra police and improve basic services. (Additional reporting by Peter Graff in London and Ross Colvin in Baghdad) © Reuters 2006.

100 americans die in iraq in month { September 2006 } Alqaeda blamed for shia attack in sadr city { November 23 2006 } Alsadr asks sunni leader to stop bloodshed { November 25 2006 } Attack on baghdad slum kills 161 { October 2006 } Attacks in iraq at record high says pentagon { November 2006 } Bombing at bakery kills British control of basra iraq continues { October 2006 } British journalists unlawfully killed by US forces { October 13 2006 } Charity worker slain in iraq { October 10 2006 } Former insurgents now look to US for protection { December 13 2006 } Iraq deaths multiply in new august count Iraq families exodus to escape violence { October 18 2006 } Iraq suicide bomber kills 63 { November 2006 } Iraq to take control of armed forces { August 2006 } Iraqi factions undercut plan to isolate extremists { December 22 2006 } Iraqis launch probe in rape murder of 14 year old { August 23 2006 } Militias splintering into radicalized cells { October 19 2006 } Record 3709 iraqis killed in october 2006 Report says 600k iraqi deaths since war { September 2006 } Sadr city checkpoints to be lifted { September 2006 } Shiite religious leader sistani pushes elections { December 20 2006 } Snipers kill 209 shiite pilgrims in iraq Spike in iraq violence claims 43 lives { September 18 2006 } Thousands mass for anti israel protest US casualties surge amid worsening iraq violence { October 12 2006 } Violence in iraq kills 10 US troops { October 18 2006 } Files Listed: 26

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