Iraq

Britain to pull troops out of Iraq by June 2009

Article published on the 2008-12-10 Latest update 2008-12-10 14:30 TU

A boy pretending to hold a weapon alongside a British soldier during a patrol in Basra.
(Photo: Reuters)

Newspapers and television both cited a senior defence source who claimed troops would begin pulling out of the country if Iraq's provincial elections in January went peacefully. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has not set a clear timetable for withdrawal, but is expected to make an annoucement in the new year.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed it plans to cut troops from early next year, but it is understood that British and American commanders have been making security assessments and planning for a number of months.

"We plan, subject to conditions on the ground and the advice of military commanders, to reduce our force levels in Iraq," a spokesperson from the MOD confirmed.

Since the invasion in March 2003, 177 British troops have been killed in Iraq, while more than 200 have been seriously injured.

"This is obviously good news for the Iraqi people and for the British people," Sami Ramadani an analyst from London Metropolitan University explained.

In the move known as Operation Archive, British troops will be withdrawn and equipment returned to the UK, while some resources will be transferred to Afghanistan.

"If it is a genuine date and if it is a genuine full pull-out of troops within the next few months, that will be excellent news," Ramadani told RFI.

US soldiers will replace the British troops based in Basra, reflecting the Iraqi government's concern for the strength of their security forces.

"Final decisions on the timing of the drawdown will depend on the circumstances at the time," the MOD said.

Provincial polls in Iraq will take place in January and will be the first elections in the country since 2005.