A sense of closure for many Iraqis

Four and a half years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the province of Basra was finally handed back yesterday to the Iraqis by the British troops. It is one step closer to Britain's final withdrawal from Iraq. Since September, when British troops withdrew to a base at the airport outside the city, they have had a relatively minor influence on the security situation there. According to a new opinion poll conducted by Opinion Research Business (ORB), the majority of people in Basra believe that the presence of British troops has had a "negative effect". More than half believed the British presence had actually increased the level of militia violence.

This British handover provides a test for the US government which will watch closely to see how things will unfold in the city. If nothing, this will increase pressure on President George W. Bush to set a timetable for withdrawing US troops.

It remains unclear as to whether or not the level of violence will worsen in the next few weeks in Iraq's second largest city. But one thing is for sure, the exit of foreign troops will surely bring a sense of closure for many Iraqis. Unfortunately for Britain, many of the exiting troops will probably have to relocate to another war-stricken country, Afghanistan.