LONDON, 9 October 2007 — Britain will withdraw nearly half its troops in Iraq beginning next spring, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said yesterday, leaving a contingent of 2,500 soldiers in the highly unpopular war.
Brown told lawmakers the move is possible because of an improving security situation, following the US surge in troop numbers this summer and detailed discussions with the Iraqi government on a visit last week.
“We plan from next spring to reduce force numbers in southern Iraq to a figure of 2,500,” Brown said in a statement to Britain’s Parliament. Britain is currently scaling back forces and by the year’s end will have 4,500 troops based mainly at an air base camp on the fringe of the southern city of Basra.
A decision on further cuts will be made once the reduction to 2,500 is complete, Brown said, rejecting a call from opposition lawmakers to set a timetable to withdraw all British troops.
“The security gains made by the multinational forces this year have been significant,” Brown said. “As important as improving security is building the capacity of the Iraqi forces so they can achieve our aim: that Iraqis step up and progressively take over security themselves.”
Iraqi forces will take control of security in the southern province of Basra within two months, ending Britain’s combat role in the country, Brown said.
British forces will move to an oversight role which will initially include securing key supply and transit routes from Kuwait to Baghdad, Brown said.
But during a second stage beginning next spring, British troops will “maintain a more limited re-intervention capacity and where the main focus will be on training and mentoring,” Brown said.
Around 500 British logistics and support staff will be moved outside Iraq, but within the Middle East region, to support the remaining troops, Brown said.
They are likely to be based in Kuwait, said officials speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.
