Plan to cut Iraq force by 1,500 put on hold
By ROSS LYDALL
THE number of British troops serving in Iraq will not be cut as planned because of the deteriorating security situation in the country, it was announced yesterday.
Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, told parliament that the Prime Minister's plans to cut the UK's commitment in the spring from 4,000 to 2,500 were being put on hold.
The Conservatives accused the government of having been over-optimistic in assuming the size of the contingent stationed outside Basra could be cut by so much and of having let down the armed forces and their families as a result.
Mr Browne also faced claims that the government had portrayed itself as weak in the face of the enemy and had "played politics" with the planned reduction, announced by Gordon Brown on a visit to Iraq during last October's Tory party conference.
Mr Browne said it would be "prudent" for UK troops to "mark time", as generals on the ground waited to see how conditions changed as a result of the reinstatement of a ceasefire.
About 150 people were killed after Iraqi government forces, who have been trained by the British, engaged the rebel Mahdi army of the militant cleric Muqtada al-Sadr last week, in an attempt to contain increasing criminal and terror activity in Iraq's second city.
Mr Browne revealed that the fledgling Iraqi force had to be supported by two battle groups of UK forces, in addition to calling in air strikes by the United States on the insurgents.
The Defence Secretary went on: "Before the events of last week, the emerging military advice, based on our assessment of current conditions then, was that further reductions might not be possible at the rate envisaged in the October announcement – although it remains our clear direction of travel.
"In the light of the last week's events, however, it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding. So, at this stage, we intend to keep our forces at their current levels of around 4,000."
A further update on troop numbers is expected in three weeks, when 7 Brigade is due to replace 4 Brigade as it comes to the end of a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.
Liam Fox, the Tory shadow defence secretary, said yesterday's announcement had done little for families expecting the return of their loved ones serving on the front line.
He said: "We should spare a thought for them. They are willing to make the sacrifices. They just expect the truth."
He went on: "For our forces to remain in Iraq, we need to have a military, and not just a political, role for them.
"To have our troops rocketed and mortared just to provide political cover would be wholly unacceptable.
"I hope the government has now learned not to play party politics with projected troop numbers."
Nick Harvey, defence spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, questioned whether "something fundamental" had changed, as a picture had been painted of an improving situation in Basra.
He said: "The British public will be rather surprised now to discover, against that background, that the government has changed its mind over these troop withdrawals."
James Arbuthnot, the Conservative chairman of the Commons defence committee, said it had been a "mistake to raise hopes of withdrawal and then abandon these hopes, as it makes the position seem worse".
BRITISH BACK IN ACTION
BRITISH tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles were all forced into front-line action after the Iraqi government forces got into extreme difficulties trying to contain rebel fighters, Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, said.
Despite the fact they were meant to be in Iraq in an "overwatch" capacity only, UK armed forces also flew fighter planes over Basra "as shows of force", used helicopters to resupply the Iraqi army with food, water and ammunition, and provided them with medical care.
One UK battle group joined combat on the ground, while another was used to resupply the Iraqi headquarters.
The full article contains 675 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.Last Updated: 01 April 2008 9:28 PM
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