08/09/2003

Britain to send 2,200 extra troops to Iraq

Government sources have confirmed that Britain is to send 1,200 more troops to Iraq within the next few days and a further 1,000 over the next few weeks to support coalition operations.

The soldiers initially tasked to Iraq will be from the 2nd Battalion of The Light Infantry and the 1st Battalion of The Royal Green Jackets.

A Downing Street spokesperson said that the deployment of additional troops was a “targeted response” towards achieving allied objectives in post-war Iraq.

At the weekend, 120 soldiers in Cyprus - from the second battalion of the Light Infantry - were dispatched to Basra from RAF Akrotiri in response to a worsening security situation in the British commanded southern region.

As was widely expected, Mr Hoon outlined details of the additional deployment on Monday following a detailed review of security operations in Iraq.

Another 1,000 servicemen will join the effort in coming weeks as the coalition attempt to return Iraq to a local government and rebuild infrastructure and return security to the country.

The fresh soldiers will join over 10,000 British personnel, 150,000 US troops and a 9,000-strong Polish commanded international force already in Iraq.

(SP)

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