News & Politics - UK troops 'set for US Iraq role'

JW77 · 10-16-2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

British soldiers could be sent to support American forces in some of Iraq's most volatile areas.
Senior British military sources say the US has asked British troops to fill in behind American soldiers, who are being sent elsewhere.

It is believed UK forces could be sent from Basra, in southern Iraq, to an area south of Baghdad.

BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said they would be under US command, which might cause controversy.

No decision made

The Ministry of Defence confirmed discussions were taking place, but said no decision had been made

The proposal sparked warnings from opposition parties.

Tory leader Michael Howard called for a statement from the government.

He said: "If it's the case that British troops are to be moved out of area, it's vital that a statement is made in Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity so that we can ask the relevant questions."

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch warned against placing British forces under US command.

He said: "British forces should remain under direct British control within the British sector. Any change to this basic command structure should be brought before the House of Commons.

"With the public disquiet about ongoing operations in Iraq, placing British forces under direct US control would not be supported by the British people."

'Insurgent stronghold'

The deployment, which would involve up to 650 personnel, is expected to last "a few weeks", the BBC was told.

It would allow US forces to be sent from Baghdad to join those involved in operations in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

One option being considered would involve Scottish troops from the Black Watch Regiment extending their tour of duty in southern Iraq by a short period.

If this option is pursued, the plan would be to have the regiment home in time for Christmas.

Speculation that Black Watch could be redeployed emerged from families of its soldiers.

Troops are currently acting as the reserve force in the southern city of Basra, and their relatives say they were told they would not be returning home next month as planned.

'Good ally'

A MoD spokesman said no decision had been taken to extend their current tour: "Discussions are continuing as these things are always discussed. But if these discussions lead to a decision it will be announced in the normal way."

One military source told Paul Adams the request to move troops was a matter of being a "good ally" to the US, and it was no good "sitting pretty" in the south in large numbers when the Americans were doing all the difficult work elsewhere.

The source added the move was seen as posing no significant additional dangers to those already faced by British forces in the country's south.

The movement of troops, if agreed to, would not necessarily add to the numbers of British soldiers stationed in Iraq.

A separate decision could be taken to boost numbers ahead of the elections, but a decision on this has also not been made.

Lexis · 10-16-2004, 11:45 PM

That coolest dudes ever comment I made on that other threat? Forget it becuase having just read this, it isn't eve funny anymore.

OUR troops are being sent to some of the most dangerous areas in Iraq because Bush and his cronies made bad choices - starting the damn war being the first, disbanding the Iraqi army before realising they needed it another.

There have been many reports that highlight the differences in British and American forces tactics. Brits prefer a softly softly approach while Americans are more aggressive (and of course, I except that controlling Bagdhad and Najaf etc is far harder than Basra and the rest of the South). If our troops are serving under American commanders, who's rules will they follow?

I don't advocate pulling our troops now because it's too late for that. We're commited and we'll be there until we are no longe required. But I strongly object to risking more lives.

Our leaders ( Blair and Bush) need to go to the UN and admit their mistakes, ask for help in fixing the awful mess they've made of this war. And then maybe, maybe some countries make take pity on us.

I can't believe I ever trusted Tony Blair.

Lexis · 11-04-2004, 06:38 PM

Well, 3 Black Watch soldiers have now been killed after their move to Camp Dogwood, the same day as it was announced their area of operation is increasing and one day after Bush's election.

Three UK Soldiers Killed in Iraq

Quote:

Three UK soldiers killed in Iraq

British troops were controversially redeployed to Camp Dogwood
Three Black Watch troops have been killed and a number of others injured in an attack by insurgents in Iraq.
The deaths happened in the area patrolled by the battle group, but no more details have been released.

The 850-strong force has been attacked repeatedly since it arrived at Camp Dogwood, 20 miles from Baghdad, on Friday, after a request from the US.

An Iraqi translator was also feared dead, the BBC's Ben Brown said. Some 73 UK military personnel have died in Iraq.

BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said there were unconfirmed reports that a suicide attack at a checkpoint caused the fatalities.

According to pool reporters at the Black Watch base, eight soldiers were injured in the attack although six are already back with their unit. The remaining two are expected to be released on Friday.

After revealing news of the deaths, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram told the House of Commons: "US forces helped to provide urgent medical support at the scene of the incident, something for which I know our forces were grateful."

A spokesman for Tony Blair said: "The prime minister's thoughts are with the Black Watch and the families of the Black Watch."

British casualties in Iraq
Profile: Camp Dogwood

Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell, expressed his sympathies to the families of the soldiers involved.

Mr McConnell said: "No words will be able to ease the pain of their terrible loss, but the thoughts of everyone in Scotland are with them."

BBC correspondent Ben Brown said the deaths have left the battle group in a "state of shock".

He said: "It will have hit the regiment very hard - they are a very close Scottish regiment with a long and proud history."

Since British Black Watch troops arrived in the area they have come under attack.

One mortar exploded at the Camp Dogwood complex early on Tuesday evening. Five other "impacts" which did not explode were also reported.

On Tuesday, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said he was "confident" Black Watch would be back in their base in southern Iraq within 30 days.

The battle group were sent to patrol new territory along the eastern bank of the River Euphrates in terrain that was not previously in their area of operations.

They expanded their operations in an attempt to stop rebels reaching Falluja.

Life at Camp Dogwood
Profile: The Black Watch

On Thursday, troops were building a pontoon bridge across the river.

The group redeployed comprised three companies of armoured infantry from the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, with some 500 men and 50 Warrior armoured fighting vehicles.

They are supported by a reconnaissance unit from the largely-Welsh Queen's Dragoon Guards, with around 100 men and 12 Scimitar armoured vehicles, and a 50-strong Royal Marine light infantry unit from 40 Commando.

The Black Watch, which traditionally recruits from Perthshire, Angus and Fife, is based in Warminster, Wiltshire.

Critics of the deployment have suggested it has dragged Britain deeper into the turmoil of post-war Iraq and was part of political manoeuvring by the American government during their campaign for re-election.

I'm Not Your Boy Toy · 11-04-2004, 08:05 PM

the British shouldnt be under our command

**TheAngel** · 11-04-2004, 09:19 PM

British troops shouldn't be controled by the US. Their tactics are 100% different than ours and it'll be a madhouse if they try. It'll be chaos.


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