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Iraq UK troop reduction delayed Iraq UK troop reduction delayed
(about 7 hours later)
There are no current plans to reduce the number of British troops based in Iraq, Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell MPs. The number of British troops in Iraq will not be reduced as planned, due to worsening violence in Basra, Defence Secretary Des Browne has told MPs.
Hopes to reduce the number of soldiers from the current total of 4,100 may have been dashed by recent fighting in Basra, said the BBC's Caroline Wyatt. Since October the government has cut troop numbers from 5,000 to 4,000 but plans for a further reduction to 2,500 have been halted, he confirmed.
The southern Iraqi city was policed by British troops until their withdrawal to a nearby airbase in September. During the weekend, forces became directly involved in fighting between the Iraqi army and the Mehdi Army.
Gordon Brown had said he hoped to cut troops in Basra to 2,500 by spring. Basra was policed by UK troops until withdrawal in September to an airbase.
ClashesClashes
In trying to reassert control in Basra, Iraqi forces have relied heavily on British forces for air support and logistical backup, said our correspondent. In trying to reassert control in Basra, Iraqi forces have relied heavily on British forces for air support and logistical backup, said BBC correspondent Caroline Wyatt.
British troops have been setting up checkpoints outside of Basra, but they do not want to get drawn back into fighting on the streets of the city itself, she added.British troops have been setting up checkpoints outside of Basra, but they do not want to get drawn back into fighting on the streets of the city itself, she added.
During the weekend, British forces became directly involved in fighting in Basra, as clashes continued between the Iraqi army and militiamen of the Mehdi Army.
A British army spokesman said UK artillery had fired upon a mortar crew in the al-Khalaf area of northern Basra, which had attacked Iraqi soldiers.A British army spokesman said UK artillery had fired upon a mortar crew in the al-Khalaf area of northern Basra, which had attacked Iraqi soldiers.
It was the first time British troops had directly joined the fighting since the Iraqi army operation began on Tuesday.It was the first time British troops had directly joined the fighting since the Iraqi army operation began on Tuesday.
Iraqi government forces have been trying to wrest control of Basra and other Shia areas from the Mehdi Army - a Shia militia loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.Iraqi government forces have been trying to wrest control of Basra and other Shia areas from the Mehdi Army - a Shia militia loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Basra was taken by British forces in 2003. They withdrew from the city to the airport last autumn, and handed over security to Iraqi forces in December.Basra was taken by British forces in 2003. They withdrew from the city to the airport last autumn, and handed over security to Iraqi forces in December.