The British Foreign Secretary has given a roadmap for the eventual pullout of British troops from Iraq. This involves the handover of the remaining provinces under British control to Iraqi responsibility.
British forces would initially withdraw completely from patrolling leaving the Iraqis with day-to-day responsibility for security.
The very significant new factor in today’s annoucement that the second city of Basra is likely to be handed over in Spring next year.
Bob Marshall-Andrews, the Labour MP who has a long track record of opposition to the war has claimed in an interview on BBC News 24 claims this is a political withdrawal to enable Blair’s retirement in a more honorable fashion. While in favor of withdrawal, his criticism is that this is being presented as a result of military success. It does however give an idea of how the US could withdraw with a facade of victory.
This is the BBC report of the annoucement in the Commons today.
The UK has “confidence” it may be able to hand over Basra security to Iraqi forces “at some point next spring”, the UK’s Foreign Secretary has said.
Margaret Beckett told MPs Iraq’s fate was “hanging in the balance” and said it was necessary “to hold our nerve”.
Mrs Beckett added that there was no question of “cutting and running”.
“The progress of our current operation in Basra gives us confidence we may be able to achieve transition in that province… at some point next spring.”
She said UK forces were making “progress” and warned that to leave too early would make the bloodshed “even worse”.
The Basra withdrawal from security operations is similar to those that have already happened in smaller provinces. The next will be the important Shia province of Najaf.
It is essential to remember this is a withdrawal to large bases to provide “oversight” rather than a full evacuation. It should also be viewed in the light of the demand for significant forces increases needed in southern Afghanistan.