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24/04/2003
Bulk of UK ground forces to return home
British armed forces in the Gulf region are set to be withdrawn, according to reports emerging today.
It has been reported that a brigade of the Royal Commandos and the 16th Air Assault Brigade will be sent home in the coming weeks – although no firm departure date has been revealed. The 7th Armoured Brigade will remain in situ. The Royal Navy has already ordered elements of its fleet home and RAF pilots are also returning home.
The US command indicated yesterday that Coalition forces are "nearing the end of combat operations".
Lt Gen David McKiernan said the ground campaign against the Iraqi regime is making a "blurred transition" from combat operations to post-hostilities operations.
He said that the resistance offered against coalition forces comprised of what he described as "regime pockets, paramilitary formations – including foreign fighters – and terrorist attacks".
There are currently 26,000 UK grounds troops deployed in southern Iraq and Kuwait and, overall, Britain's commitment to the war in Iraq totalled some 45,000 personnel.
Elsewhere, the MoD announced today that Lieutenant Alexander Tweedie – who was left in a coma when his Scimitar armoured vehicle overturned in Iraq on April 1 – has died in an Edinburgh hospital.
In a statement his family said: "Alexander's death has shocked and saddened us greatly, and words cannot adequately express the depth of our grief. He was a wonderful, loving son who brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. He was proud to serve with the Household Cavalry, and had a very promising career ahead of him. We are proud of Alexander and will remember him in our hearts forever."
Lieutenant Tweedie, who was 25, had served for two and a half years in D Squadron, The Blues & Royals, Household Cavalry Regiment. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark van der Lande OBE, said Lieutenant Tweedie would "be sorely missed by us all".
(GMcG)
It has been reported that a brigade of the Royal Commandos and the 16th Air Assault Brigade will be sent home in the coming weeks – although no firm departure date has been revealed. The 7th Armoured Brigade will remain in situ. The Royal Navy has already ordered elements of its fleet home and RAF pilots are also returning home.
The US command indicated yesterday that Coalition forces are "nearing the end of combat operations".
Lt Gen David McKiernan said the ground campaign against the Iraqi regime is making a "blurred transition" from combat operations to post-hostilities operations.
He said that the resistance offered against coalition forces comprised of what he described as "regime pockets, paramilitary formations – including foreign fighters – and terrorist attacks".
There are currently 26,000 UK grounds troops deployed in southern Iraq and Kuwait and, overall, Britain's commitment to the war in Iraq totalled some 45,000 personnel.
Elsewhere, the MoD announced today that Lieutenant Alexander Tweedie – who was left in a coma when his Scimitar armoured vehicle overturned in Iraq on April 1 – has died in an Edinburgh hospital.
In a statement his family said: "Alexander's death has shocked and saddened us greatly, and words cannot adequately express the depth of our grief. He was a wonderful, loving son who brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. He was proud to serve with the Household Cavalry, and had a very promising career ahead of him. We are proud of Alexander and will remember him in our hearts forever."
Lieutenant Tweedie, who was 25, had served for two and a half years in D Squadron, The Blues & Royals, Household Cavalry Regiment. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark van der Lande OBE, said Lieutenant Tweedie would "be sorely missed by us all".
(GMcG)
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11 April 2003
British troops to return home
After 22 days of war in Iraq, Britain is beginning to withdraw its forces from the conflict zone. In a speech to the Commons today, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said that a phased withdrawal of troops would begin as military operations in Iraq were now entering a post-conflict phase.
British troops to return home
After 22 days of war in Iraq, Britain is beginning to withdraw its forces from the conflict zone. In a speech to the Commons today, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said that a phased withdrawal of troops would begin as military operations in Iraq were now entering a post-conflict phase.
15 January 2007
Two dead British troops named by MoD
The Ministry of Defence has named two British troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kingsman Alex Green was killed in Basra on Saturday, while Royal Marine Thomas Curry died in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan on the same day.
Two dead British troops named by MoD
The Ministry of Defence has named two British troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kingsman Alex Green was killed in Basra on Saturday, while Royal Marine Thomas Curry died in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan on the same day.
04 June 2008
William's Navy Lark Underway
Prince William passed through the gates of Britannia Royal Naval College and began his first day in the Royal Navy this week. He will now spend a short period in the company of a group of cadets learning about the Royal Navy's history and ethos, its current capabilities and its future horizons.
William's Navy Lark Underway
Prince William passed through the gates of Britannia Royal Naval College and began his first day in the Royal Navy this week. He will now spend a short period in the company of a group of cadets learning about the Royal Navy's history and ethos, its current capabilities and its future horizons.
24 October 2006
Home Office reports on worst police forces
Humberside and Northamptonshire have been named the worst performing police forces in England and Wales, according to a new report from the Home Office. The two constabularies came bottom, gaining three points out of a potential 21, with Nottinghamshire immediately above them, scoring four points.
Home Office reports on worst police forces
Humberside and Northamptonshire have been named the worst performing police forces in England and Wales, according to a new report from the Home Office. The two constabularies came bottom, gaining three points out of a potential 21, with Nottinghamshire immediately above them, scoring four points.
05 November 2003
UK special forces soldier confirmed dead in Iraq firefight
A British special forces soldier has been killed during a firefight in Iraq, it has been confirmed. Corporal Ian Plank, 31, was among a group of SBS and SAS soldiers attacking an Al Qaida training camp believed to be in northern Iraq when he shot and killed last Friday. Four other British soldiers have been reported as injured during the exchange.
UK special forces soldier confirmed dead in Iraq firefight
A British special forces soldier has been killed during a firefight in Iraq, it has been confirmed. Corporal Ian Plank, 31, was among a group of SBS and SAS soldiers attacking an Al Qaida training camp believed to be in northern Iraq when he shot and killed last Friday. Four other British soldiers have been reported as injured during the exchange.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
