Fears over UK Basra pullout

Last Modified: 03 Sep 2007
By: Jonathan Rugman

British and Iraqi armies say the UK pullout from Basra is part of a strategic plan, but there are fears that it could leave a vacuum.

Both armies were side by side in the ministry of defence pictures released today. They were marking the withdrawal of British forces from Basra palace in southern Iraq.

It was a sign of co-operation which the government says symbolises the UK's strategy in the country - handing over areas to Iraqi control.

The entire British contingent is now based just outside the city at the airport. And while troops might "re-intervene" in some circumstances in the future, some fear it could leave a dangerous vacuum.

The situation the British leave behind is not one they wanted, for British troops leaving here have been living under virtual siege.

British tanks rolled through the streets of Iraq's second largest city. With them, the most controversial act of British foreign policy since the Suez crisis is entering its final phase.

Iraqis reportedly cheered the tanks' departure - not that Channel 4 News was allowed to be there to see it. It was an operation shrouded in secrecy and high security. For like the end of many a British colonial enterprise, this was no victory, merely recognition that Britain's time is almost up.

At Saddam Hussein's former palace, the last post sounded the end of four years of occupation. The British commander here said many of his soldiers had arrived as boys and and were leaving as men after months of heavy fighting. Even the Iraqi raising his flag was wearing a flak jacket - just in case.

This handover may have been cordial, pre-planned and expected for many months. But the situation the British leave behind is not one they wanted, for British troops leaving here have been living under virtual siege.

Still, the British have trained up to 14,000 troops in all. And they have faith in their Iraqi commander, General Mohan, who is no doubt relieved that last week's ceasefire by one of the biggest Shia militias has helped smooth the British withdrawal.

If Basra's violence continues, many bereaved might wonder what their sacrifice was for.

In the last 24 hours 550 troops have left the Basra palace complex to join the 5,000 British forces already at the airport, five miles from the outskirts of the city. Their mission now is to continue training Iraqi forces and to back them up when required.

Though some British forces are sleeping in tents, the airport has been reinforced to protect it from a regular barrage of mortar fire. How useful they can be remains to be seen, with the whole of Basra province expected to be handed over to Iraqi forces in the coming weeks.

But have the government's criteria truly been met? Iraqi forces have been trained, but Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN's leading expert on nation-building, says the British may have made a fatal mistake. That concern is echoed by retired Colonel Tim Collins, who led his Royal Irish Regiment troops into Iraq in 2003.

A complete withdrawal seems unlikely for now. Not only might the Americans object, but if Basra's violence continues many bereaved might wonder what their sacrifice was for.