• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Excelitas Qioptiq banner

BATTLESPACE Updates

   +44 (0)77689 54766
   

  • Home
  • Features
  • News Updates
  • Defence Engage
  • Company Directory
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Pack 2023

U.K.’S IRAQ MISSION DRAWS TO A CLOSE

April 1, 2009 by

’S IRAQ MISSION DRAWS TO A CLOSE

31 Mar 09. The UK’s six-year combat mission in Iraq begins to draw to a close today, with the re-drawing of the Coalition regional structure in the south of the country. In a Written Ministerial Statement, Defence Secretary John Hutton MP today confirmed that the current structure of two multi-national areas, one controlled by the UK and one by the US, will be merged into a single area. The new Division, known as Multi-National Division-South (MND-S), will be under the command of US Major General Michael Oates. The UK’s General Officer Commanding, Major General Andy Salmon, who commanded the old Multi-National Division-South East, returns to Britain with his headquarters staff. The change marks what British Forces describe as their Divisional Drawdown. The 4,100 UK personnel currently stationed in and around Basra will now be withdrawn, leaving behind just 400 by the end of July. John Hutton said: “Today’s restructuring reflects the success of our armed forces, our Coalition partners and of the Iraqis themselves. The Iraqis are now firmly in control of their own security in Basra and it is this that allows us to begin the process of drawing down our forces from Iraq.

The Iraqis have not reached this point on their own. Thousands of British servicemen and women have stood shoulder to shoulder with them during the past six years. Thanks to their shared commitment, sacrifice and resilience, Basra is now a much safer city with a bright economic future, which has put behind it the fear, misery and oppression endured under Saddam’s regime. I am immensely proud of all that our people have achieved.”

The full text of the Written Ministerial Statement is as follows: Iraq: Coalition Regional Commands.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Rt Hon John Hutton): I should like to make a statement on the restructuring of Coalition regional commands in southern Iraq. The House will be aware from my statement of 25 November 2008 (Official Report, column 57WS) and the Foreign Secretary’s statement of 25 March 2009 (Official Report, column 326) that Coalition forces providing support to the Iraqi Security Forces in the area south of Baghdad have to date been organised into two multi-national areas: Multi-National Division-South East (MND-South East) under UK leadership covering Basra province, and MND-Centre under US leadership, covering the other eight Iraqi provinces. As indicated in those two statements, in future only a single multi-national divisional headquarters will be required south of Baghdad. Due to the improved security situation and the continued demonstration by the Iraqi Security Forces that they are able to deliver security in southern Iraq with only minimal Coalition assistance, the anticipated change in Coalition command structures has taken place today.

MND-South East and MND-Centre have been merged to create a new Multi-National Divisional area, MND-South. The headquarters for MND-South will be located on the site of the Contingency Operating Base outside Basra, and will provide support to the Iraqi Security Forces under US leadership across all nine provinces in southern Iraq.

UK forces from 20 Armoured Brigade will complete their remaining military tasks in southern Iraq as part of MND-South and then withdraw before the end of July. We have also deployed logistics specialists in order to support the withdrawal. US forces in southern Iraq will continue to focus on their training of the Iraqi Police and Department of Border Enforcement and on supporting the overall coalition mission in Iraq, including through the protection of key supply routes.

We are currently discussing with the Government of Iraq the precise scope of the military training that they would like the UK to provide as part of the enduring, broad-based defence relationship with Iraq which the Prime Minister outlined on 18 December 2008 (Official Report, columns 1233-1235). On current plans, this woul

Primary Sidebar

Advertisers

  • qioptiq.com
  • Exensor
  • TCI
  • Visit the Oxley website
  • Visit the Viasat website
  • Blighter
  • SPECTRA
  • Britbots logo
  • Faun Trackway
  • Systematic
  • CISION logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • businesswire logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • ssafa logo
  • Atkins
  • IEE
  • EXFOR logo
  • KME logo
  • DSEi
  • sibylline logo
  • Team Thunder logo
  • Commando Spirit - Blended Scoth Whisy
  • Comtech logo
Hilux Military Raceday Novemeber 2023 Chepstow

Contact Us

BATTLESPACE Publications
Old Charlock
Abthorpe Road
Silverstone
Towcester NN12 8TW

+44 (0)77689 54766

BATTLESPACE Technologies

An international defence electronics news service providing our readers with up to date developments in the defence electronics industry.

Recent News

  • EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCES

    January 27, 2023
    Read more
  • VETERANS UPDATE

    January 27, 2023
    Read more
  • MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE

    January 27, 2023
    Read more

Copyright BATTLESPACE Publications © 2002–2023.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use the website, we'll assume you're ok with this.   Read More  Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT