Region | Iraq
More British troops to leave Iraq next year
Britain plans to substantially scale back its troop numbers in Iraqi during 2009, the head of the country's armed forces said.
- AP
- Published: 22:02 July 13, 2008
London: Britain plans to substantially scale back its troop numbers in Iraqi during 2009, the head of the country's armed forces said.
Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup said the UK will withdraw soldiers to help ease major strains on Britain's military, which has been stretched by deployments in both Afghanistan and southern Iraq.
Britain had planned to cut its number of troops in Iraq from 4,000 to 2,500 earlier this year, but postponed the withdrawal in March amid a spike in militia violence.
"I would expect us to see further substantial progress towards a more sustainable tempo in the course of the next year," Stirrup told BBC television, referring to lowering troop numbers in Iraq.
Britain has increased to almost 8,000 its number of troops in Afghanistan and Stirrup said the UK military does not have the capacity to keep soldiers deployed across both fronts for much longer.
News Editor's choice
-
Kuwait condemns Houla massacre
Arab League urged to put end to oppression of Syrian people
-
Road crashes main cause of child death in UAE
Death rate among children in car accidents in the UAE is three times higher than global average
-
Last minute ID rush is on
Expatriates in Dubai have thronged typing centres and Emirates ID registration offices to meet the May 31 registration deadline
