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Iraq UK troop reduction delayed Iraq UK troop reduction delayed
(9 minutes later)
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. The number of British troops in Iraq will not be reduced as planned, due to violence in Basra, Defence Secretary Des Browne has told MPs.
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.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.
During the weekend, forces became directly involved in fighting between the Iraqi army and the Mehdi Army. During the weekend, forces became directly involved in fighting between the Iraqi army and Shia militiamen.
Basra was policed by UK troops until withdrawal in September to an airbase.Basra was policed by UK troops until withdrawal in September to an airbase.
Clashes
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.
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.
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.
'Prudent to pause'
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Browne said the government was still committed to reducing troop numbers, but recent events had prompted it to reconsider its plans.
In the light of the last week's events it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding Des BrowneDefence Secretary
"Before the events of the last week, the emerging military advice, based on our assessment of current conditions then, was that further reductions might not be possible at the rate envisaged in the October announcement - although it remains our clear direction of travel and our plan.
"In the light of the last week's events, however, it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding.
"It is absolutely right that military commanders review plans when conditions on the ground change."
Future requirments would be assessed with coalition partners and Iraqis. Mr Browne said he expected to update MPs later in April.
'Show of force'
UK troops have provided surveillance, flown fast jet missions over Basra as "shows of force" and used helicopters to help re-supply the Iraqi security forces, Mr Browne said.
He outlined recent involvement by the UK forces, saying tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery had been used to provide "in extremis" support to Iraqi units on the ground, while one of the Iraqi headquarters was resupplied by another UK battlegroup.
Logistic support was also provided in the supply of food, water and ammunition and medical care was given to wounded Iraqi personnel.
At the weekend, 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.
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.