London, Dec 16, SPA — British troops on Sunday were preparing to hand over Basra province to Iraqi authorities in a major step towards a full withdrawal from the country, reported dpa.
Basra was the last province under British military control, four and a half years after Britain joined the US-led invasion to overthrow former dictator Saddam Hussein.
A handover ceremony was held amid tight security. The move prepares a reduction of British troops to 4,500 by the end of the month and to 2,500 next year.
A total of 174 British servicemen and women have died in Iraq since the invasion.However, British forces are to continue to provide an “overwatch” capability to assist Iraqi troops – if necessary – from their last base in the country, at Basra Airport.
–SPA