Seraphim
09-08-2003, 04:19 PM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1512&e=29&u=/afp/20030908/wl_afp/iraq_britain_troops_030908130621
LONDON (AFP) - Britain is to send around 1,000 extra soldiers to Iraq (news - web sites) right away, boosting its forces there to some 11,600, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced.
Hoon last week ordered a review of the troop levels required to support British operations in the country amid persistent attacks against US and British occupation forces.
In a written statement to parliament Monday, Hoon said there was an "immediate requirement" for two battalions, plus additional specialist personnel and equipment, which would be deployed to Britain's area of operations in the south of the country, around Basra.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said Britain's additional troop deployment amounted to "about 1,000".
Hoon paved the way for even more reinforcements, saying: "We anticipate additional tasks in the near future which will require military resources, in particular the provision of military support to critical infrastructure work.
"This work will deliver a more stable power supply, improve fuel availability and significantly improve the delivery of water services to all sectors of the population" in Britain's main area of operations.
Eleven British soldiers have been killed in attacks in Iraq since US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) declared on May 1 that major combat operations in the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) were over.
The troops to be deployed immediately will be drawn from 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry and 1st Battalion (eds: one division), as well as from the Royal Green Jackets, Hoon said.
The Light Infantry troops will deploy from their base in Cyprus and will join units from the battalion already in action in Iraq.
The additional Light Infantry troops will be involved in "supporting current operations, and in offering additional protection to the Coalition Provisional Authority", Hoon said.
The Royal Green Jackets, currently based in Britain, will work to increase force protection for coalition troops, help train the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps and "improve our information-gathering capacity".
"We plan to maintain the deployment of these units until around November, providing an interim capability to our commanders in theatre," Hoon said.
Britain plans for some of the roles to be "progressively conducted" by Iraqi personnel.
An additional 120 British infantry were deployed to Iraq from their rear base in Cyprus over the weekend, bringing the number of British troops in Iraq to 10,620.
The minister of defence said the recent killing of its soldiers would not force Britain to scale down activities.
"The commitment of the UK and its armed forces to Iraq remains undeterred by recent events," Hoon said Monday.
"We are determined to help the Iraqi people to forge a new, peaceful and secure future for themselves and we will meet this commitment with appropriate forces in Iraq for as long as required, and no longer."
The 130,000 US troops in Iraq have come under criticism for failing to stabilise the country since their ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in April.
Meanwhile, 67 US troops have died in attacks blamed on Saddam loyalists and other extremists.
"Real progress has been made in Iraq over the last few months," Hoon said in his statement. "Coalition forces continue to support Iraqi leaders, both nationally and at the local level.
"Political progress has been made, with the increasing effectiveness of the Iraqi Governing Council and the recent appointment of Iraqi departmental ministers.
"We now seek to accelerate progress in other areas, including enhanced security across the country and the reliable provision of basic utilities," he added.
LONDON (AFP) - Britain is to send around 1,000 extra soldiers to Iraq (news - web sites) right away, boosting its forces there to some 11,600, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced.
Hoon last week ordered a review of the troop levels required to support British operations in the country amid persistent attacks against US and British occupation forces.
In a written statement to parliament Monday, Hoon said there was an "immediate requirement" for two battalions, plus additional specialist personnel and equipment, which would be deployed to Britain's area of operations in the south of the country, around Basra.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said Britain's additional troop deployment amounted to "about 1,000".
Hoon paved the way for even more reinforcements, saying: "We anticipate additional tasks in the near future which will require military resources, in particular the provision of military support to critical infrastructure work.
"This work will deliver a more stable power supply, improve fuel availability and significantly improve the delivery of water services to all sectors of the population" in Britain's main area of operations.
Eleven British soldiers have been killed in attacks in Iraq since US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) declared on May 1 that major combat operations in the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) were over.
The troops to be deployed immediately will be drawn from 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry and 1st Battalion (eds: one division), as well as from the Royal Green Jackets, Hoon said.
The Light Infantry troops will deploy from their base in Cyprus and will join units from the battalion already in action in Iraq.
The additional Light Infantry troops will be involved in "supporting current operations, and in offering additional protection to the Coalition Provisional Authority", Hoon said.
The Royal Green Jackets, currently based in Britain, will work to increase force protection for coalition troops, help train the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps and "improve our information-gathering capacity".
"We plan to maintain the deployment of these units until around November, providing an interim capability to our commanders in theatre," Hoon said.
Britain plans for some of the roles to be "progressively conducted" by Iraqi personnel.
An additional 120 British infantry were deployed to Iraq from their rear base in Cyprus over the weekend, bringing the number of British troops in Iraq to 10,620.
The minister of defence said the recent killing of its soldiers would not force Britain to scale down activities.
"The commitment of the UK and its armed forces to Iraq remains undeterred by recent events," Hoon said Monday.
"We are determined to help the Iraqi people to forge a new, peaceful and secure future for themselves and we will meet this commitment with appropriate forces in Iraq for as long as required, and no longer."
The 130,000 US troops in Iraq have come under criticism for failing to stabilise the country since their ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in April.
Meanwhile, 67 US troops have died in attacks blamed on Saddam loyalists and other extremists.
"Real progress has been made in Iraq over the last few months," Hoon said in his statement. "Coalition forces continue to support Iraqi leaders, both nationally and at the local level.
"Political progress has been made, with the increasing effectiveness of the Iraqi Governing Council and the recent appointment of Iraqi departmental ministers.
"We now seek to accelerate progress in other areas, including enhanced security across the country and the reliable provision of basic utilities," he added.