British End Combat In Iraq

UK combat operations have ended in Iraq. A ceremony in Basra has been held to mark the official end of British action, six years since combat began.

The service remembered the 179 British personnel who died during the conflict in Iraq. A wall of memorial featuring the names of the 234 UK and foreign troops and civilians who lost their lives under British command was unveiled. 

Gordon Brown claimed ”Today Iraq is a success story. We owe much of that to the efforts of British troops. Our mission has not always been an easy one, many have said that we would fail. Britain can be proud of our legacy that we leave there.”

Lt Col Edward Chamberlain, commanding officer of Iraq-based battalion 5 Rifles, said: “We’ve been slowly working, as part of a coalition together over the six years, to achieve an end-state which is an Iraq which is secure, happy, at peace with itself and its neighbours. We’re slowly but surely transitioning towards that.”

For many the Iraq War will be remembered as a fascicle mistake by both the UK and US, defining a dismal presidency for G.W Bush. But the reality is the British forces have excelled in their handling of the conflict, working in a difficult situation, and helping Iraq become a better, fairer country.