NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — insurgency — 2004 — 04-sept-oct — Viewing Item

UK troops redeployment necessary Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/10/19/uk.troops.ap/ http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/10/19/uk.troops.ap/ UK troop redeployment 'necessary' LONDON, England (AP) -- Britain needs to redeploy troops closer to Baghdad so that the insurgency in central Iraq can be dealt with ahead of Iraqi elections, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Tuesday. The government is considering a U.S. request for a small number of British troops to be moved nearer the Iraqi capital to free up American forces for anti-insurgency operations. Straw said a final decision depended on advice from U.K. military commanders on the ground. Most British troops in Iraq are in the relatively peaceful south of the country, whereas the American sector is far more volatile. "The security situation in part of the country is very serious, it is of critical importance that the insurgency is dealt with," Straw told British Broadcasting Corp. radio. "Otherwise ... the elections would be flawed and that is why it is necessary for us to make an additional effort." National elections are scheduled in Iraq for January, but ongoing violence near Baghdad threatens to prevent voting in many areas and undermine the legitimacy of the whole process. Britain has not said how many troops might be redeployed, or where precisely they would go to. But military sources have said that if the request was granted, Britain's reserve regiment, the 650-strong First Battalion Black Watch, which is stationed near the southern port city of Basra, would be the obvious choice. "We would be letting down an ally if we were to say 'No' in the face of very clear advice from our British commanders that we ought to make this contribution," Straw said. Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.

50 iraq soldiers slaughtered 6 US soldiers killed in iraq attacks 8 US marines killed west of baghdad Army reserve platoon refuses suicide mission { October 15 2004 } Baghdad clashes leave 40 iraqis dead Blast in baghdad rebel district kills 47 Blasts hit baghdad green zone Bombing kills 7 marines in fallujah Four marines killed in iraq Helicopter fires on crowd firing on bradley tank { September 13 2004 } Helicopters fired on crowd of unarmed civilians { September 14 2004 } Insurgency forces growing Insurgency grown and grown in funding { October 22 2004 } Iraq oil pipeline junction blown up Marines launch attacks in fallujah oct 14 Military kills scores in fighting near mosul { September 10 2004 } New offensives in iraq on hold till american vote New strikes in falluja Pipeline is attacked { September 4 2004 } Powell says iraqi security situation worsening Residents report aircraft strikes falluja Sadr peace deal could bolster iraq election plan September deadliest month for troops Surge of baghdad violence leaves 60 dead Thirteen US troops killed early september Two uk soldiers killed in basra UK troops redeployment necessary Unit refuses to go on convoy mission US destroys falluja arms dumps US forces pound fallujah and nearby villages US gunships fires on crowd US troops clash with insurgents in iraq Files Listed: 32

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