UK Iraq pull-out set for March - FT

By James Blitz in London and Andrew England in Abu Dhabi

Published: December 10 2008 09:40 | Last updated: December 10 2008 13:24

Britain’s 4,100 troops in Iraq will begin withdrawing in about March in a process that should lead to their full departure by the second half of 2009, Ministry of Defence sources said on Tuesday.

Britain is looking to sign a status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government this month that would give UK forces a legal basis to stay in the country into 2009. MoD sources said they were confident a new agreement would be signed.

Read the full story on the FT.com

First ever rugby sevens in Iraq

Welsh rugby players Scot Gibbs and Ieuan Evans visited the the Contingent Operating Base, (COB) Basra Iraq in order to promote the Help for Heroes charity.

As part of the visit the first ever Iraqi seven-a-side rugby event was run to raise money.

Read more on the links below:

Scott Gibbs and Ieuan Evans benefit Help for Heroes - Times online
Spending time on frontline in Iraq was humbling experience - Telegraph
Heroes of the rugby field meet heroes of the battlefield - Wales online
Help for heroes trip to Iraq photos - Zimbo
Simon Ward’s Basra trip diary for Help for Heroes - England Rugby

TWICKENHAM STADIUM TO HOST HELP FOR HEROES MATCH
The match, to be played at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, September 20th will feature two teams, a Help for Heroes XV and an International Select XV who will play a challenge match at the home of English rugby.

Watch out for LIVE coverage of the Match on SKY - it will also feature highlights from the match in Iraq!

Improvements offer Iraqis optimism for the future 1 Sept 08

The UK's most senior military representative in southern Iraq has given an upbeat assessment of the progress he believes is being made in the region.

General Officer Commanding MND(SE), Maj Gen Andy Salmon, chats to local shopkeepers and businessmen during a visit to the al-Hayyaniyah district of Basra on Wednesday, 20 August. [Picture: Cpl Rob Knight]

Major General Andy Salmon's views echo those made by his predecessor, Major General Barney White-Spunner, from whom Maj Gen Salmon took over recently. On his return to the UK last month, Maj Gen White-Spunner praised the progress made in Basra in recent months, in particular the work of the Iraqi Security Forces in ridding the city of rogue militias as well as the increase in foreign investment.

2008 has seen a significant and noticeable improvement in the security situation in Iraq. Violence is down to levels not seen since 2003/04 and there are a number of signs that a degree of normality is slowly returning to a country that has been plagued by terrorist and ethno-sectarian violence:

"Basra and the surrounding region has undergone an incredible transformation over the last five months and there is a real sense of optimism," Maj Gen Salmon explained. "Since taking over command in MND(SE) I am eager to get on with the task of helping Basrawis rebuild their great country and supporting the Iraqi Government in providing peace and prosperity.

"A stable and secure environment is the foundation upon which much-needed economic development can take place. With the Iraqi Security Forces increasingly capable of protecting the Iraqi people, one of the key challenges remains how to help national and local government build civil capacity and stimulate economic growth so that the ordinary Iraqi citizen feels the benefit of his country’s considerable wealth."

As the security situation improves markets are reopening and the amount of trading is increasing. [Picture: MOD]

The country still faces a number of significant political, economic and administrative challenges, as well as security concerns that will take time to resolve. Nevertheless, a number of positive indicators give cause for hopefulness that a more secure and stable Iraq is gradually emerging.

The successful Charge of the Knights military operation in Basra, which began in March, demonstrated the Iraqi government’s intent to crack down on violent extremists and criminals regardless of religious or political affiliation. Subsequent operations in Sadr City, Mosul, Al Amarah and Diyala have reinforced the message and boosted public confidence in the Government:

"The last five months provides an indication of what a powerful partnership Iraq and Britain have but I realise there is much work to done, and I am confident that by working together we can achieve our goals. So it is with a sense of optimism that I look to the future and the challenges that lie ahead," Maj Gen Salmon added.

Improvements in electricity generation capability is essential to meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people [Picture: MOD]

Several representatives have now been appointed to areas where there have been recent military operations, armed with considerable special funds to fast track regeneration and reconstruction projects. In addition six Arab countries have recently undertaken to appoint Ambassadors and to open Embassies and consulates in Iraq, signalling the return of normal regional diplomatic relations. Furthermore, recent high level visits to Baghdad – from King Abdullah II of Jordan and the Turkish PM, as well as Ministerial visits from several Gulf States – have reinforced this trend.

Infrastructure developments and inward investment
Although demand still outstrips supply, electricity generation has reached record post-war levels this year and investment in new generating capacity is planned. A new airport at Najaf has recently been opened, and improvements to Basra and Irbil are in train, adding to the network of provincial airports across the country. The development of Umm Qasar port is also playing an essential role of increasing import and exports from the country.

Foreign inward investment has now reached over $7.4Bn and an increasing number of visits from international investors demonstrate that Iraq’s business potential is clearly recognised. Work has also begun on a new 5-star hotel in the centre of Baghdad.

The opening of new embassies in Central Baghdad signals the return to normal diplomatic relations with Arab neighbours [Picture: MOD]

Maj Gen Salmon's view that Iraq is heading in the right direction is shared by General David Petraeus. In an interview with the International Herald Tribune newspaper on Thursday 21 August 2008 Gen Petraeus, who recently handed over command of Multi National Forces in Iraq to General Raymond Odierno, compared life in Iraq today to the situation he found when he arrived early in 2007:

"I don't know that it was a death spiral but it was a pretty dire situation," he said. "There have been very substantial gains at this point. "But don't take any of this to imply that we think we're anywhere near finished, or that there's anything but an enormous amount of hard work going on. It's not durable yet. It's not self sustaining - there is still a lot of work to do."

Basra Blog

Major Paul Smyth, RIFLES
MND (SE) Press Information Centre Director and spokesman.

The last week and half has flown by since I took over as the Media Spokesman in MND (SE). There was a sense of deja-vous as I walked off the Hercules C130 and into the passenger handling area, as I was last here in December 2006.

While much of the Contingency Operating Base (COB) was still familiar a great deal has changed with new buildings springing up all over the place. The most prominent changes across the COB being huge barns that have been purpose built to provide state of the art catering facilities and welfare areas, with coffee bars and internet access; important facilities for the hard working people living here.

More importantly, there is a significant change to the atmosphere here. Within minutes of arriving last time, I was taking cover as rockets flew into the base. It was a very timely reminder of the dangers faced by British and Coalition troops every day back then. So far, I haven’t had to put into action the Indirect Fire (IDF) drills that became second nature to me last time I was here.

The handover from my predecessor was termed as ‘hot’ as my arrival coincided with the media focus turning onto Iraq. All of the great work that had been completed out here since ‘Operation Charge of the Knights’, that has been a monumental turning point for Basra, was now under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. As I was being pushed through the arrivals briefs and sorting out my room and kit, my oppo was hard at work ensuring that no one was in any doubt about how the British had provided the support the Iraqi security forces requested for ‘Op Charge of the Knights’ that had included armour, artillery, airpower, medical and logistic support. So, with that out of the way, the final handover took place and as Tom Holloway headed back to the UK, I took command of the Media Ops team.

With a tri-service, UK and US team, there is a great deal to get to grips with in the office before the real media ops work could start. However, this was not the time for a few days of contemplation as only days after my handover the Commander of MND (SE) was due to change too. For media ops, this was going to be a big and full on task, requiring a great deal of effort to ensure the change of Commander MND (SE) would run as smooth as clockwork.

New commander for British forces in Iraq

Major General Andy Salmon took over from Major General Barney White-Spunner as General Officer Commanding of Multi-National Division (South East) Iraq at a ceremony held yesterday, Tuesday 12 August 2008.


Major General Andy Salmon

The Governor of Basra, tribal leaders, and the Commander of the Iraqi Army in Basra joined coalition troops for the ceremony which took place at Basra International Airport.

Speaking at the event Lieutenant General Lloyd J Austin III, Commanding General Multi-National Coalition - Iraq, said:

"General Barney and his headquarters have performed superbly. Within a week of their arrival, the Government of Iraq launched the Charge of the Knights Operation to restore the rule of law here in Basra. Multi-National Division (South East) is key to supporting the operation through partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces."

Major General Barney White-Spunner has been the General Officer Commanding of Multi-National Division (South East) since February this year. He said:

"Let me thank the leaders and the people of Basra. Basra the beautiful, Basra the lung of Iraq, and how good is it now that the people have their city returned to them. Basra now stands poised to be the economic miracle of the Gulf, with the security forces provided by the Iraqi Security Forces it will soon rival Dubai or Bahrain."

With the help provided by British forces, the Iraqi 14th Division in Basra is developing into a very effective military force. It has already demonstrated its ability to plan, execute and sustain operations which has lead to the vastly improved security situation.

General Mohammed, Commander of the Iraqi Army, added:
"Iraq, its Government and its people will remember the efforts that have been made for some time with respect and appreciation."