Britain to cut Iraq force to 2,500

[babylonsister]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/10/britain_to_cut_iraq_force_to_2.php

Britain to cut Iraq force to 2,500

British Prime Minister Announces Iraq Troops Will Be Cut to 2,500 in 2008

DAVID STRINGER
AP News

Oct 08, 2007 11:29 EDT

Britain will withdraw nearly half the troops now serving in Iraq beginning next spring, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday, leaving a contingent of 2,500 soldiers in the highly unpopular war.

Brown told lawmakers the plan follows discussions with the Iraqi government and progress in Iraq's south.

Britain has around 5,000 troops based mainly at an air base camp on the fringe of the southern city of Basra.

"We plan from next spring, to reduce force numbers in southern Iraq to a figure of 2,500," Brown said in a statement. A decision on further cuts would be made once that reduction is complete, he told lawmakers.

Iraqi forces will take control of security in the southern province of Basra within two months, ending Britain's combat role in the country.

"We plan to move to a second stage of overwatch, where the coalition would maintain a more limited re-intervention capacity and where the main focus will be on training and mentoring," Brown said.

more...

[Nickster]

1. I wonder if those troops are headed home or are they headed to Afghanistan where they are needed?

[bdamomma]

2. well so much for the support for attack in Iran, the Brits will not take this any longer.

they want their troops to come home, now can we learn something from them?

[AndyA]

3. So much for the "coalition" - it was never really all that much of one to start with,

and it just keeps getting smaller every day.

Meanwhile, our troops are still dying, and the cost of the Bush/GOP war in Iraq continues to grow.

Mission Accomplished! When you love death, destruction, and no-bid military contracts, this is a good thing. :(