UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has said the operation to hand over frontline security in Basra to Iraqi troops had been “completed” and been “successful”.
Asked about reports he would announce within weeks an effective halving of UK troop numbers in Iraq, he told the BBC’s Sunday AM: “Let’s wait and see.”
He said Iraqi forces were in “control of frontline security in the city”…
..[snip]..
“The issue is the operation that we have been conducting in Basra is now complete and that operation has specifically been to put the Iraqi forces in the main frontline control of security within the city.
“It’s actually been successful as an operation and as a result of that there’s reconstruction that’s come in behind it and we’ve been able to make real progress.”
BASRA, Iraq, Feb 18 (Reuters) – British forces clashed with gunmen armed with machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades in a Shi’ite militia stronghold of the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Sunday, killing at least three, Iraqi police said.
The British military confirmed the clashes, saying its soldiers had been supporting Iraqi troops on a “strike operation” in the northern slum area of Hayaniya when they came under attack.
“There were numerous attacks with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades,” said British military spokesman Major David Gell.
“We returned fire using proportional force. A number of gunmen are reported to have been shot, but we have no confirmation of casualties.”
Clearly.
i detest the bbc, the cover ups their lies, their stand on islam.
recent riots in brussels not a word,
recent shooting in america was a muslim not a word usually they can’t wait.
the bbc are anti christian anti english, they infact are now trash heard the filthy language used in dramas on radio 4?
the only time any respect is given is when it’s books and stories are about bloody islam.
the bbc is a tool of the left with a pro islamic agenda!