British troops hand over palace

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Felix Figueroa | U.S. Regional Embassy office director, Louis L. Bono addresses the media during the recent official handover of the Basra palace by British troops to Iraqi security forces in southern Iraq.  

BASRA, IRAQ

09.17.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Felix Figueroa 

82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade

By Sgt. 1st Class Felix A. Figueroa
82nd Sustainment Brigade

BASRA, Iraq — British troops assigned to One Mechanized Brigade recently handed over responsibility of the Basra palace to Iraqi security forces allowing the ISF complete control of their city.

"This is not a withdrawal of British troops, rather a re-posture," said 1st Lt. Timothy Moore, spokesperson, One Mechanized Brigade.

"This re-posturing of British troops allows Iraqis to officially take over the city of Basra, another step in the direction of empowering the citizens with control of their own destiny," Moore said.

Traditionally the palace was a seat of power during the Saddam regime where dignitaries would gather and discuss issues affecting their communities. The British handed over a total of four out of five strategic locations to the Iraqis.

These locations enabled British troops to carry out kinetic and non-kinetic missions since the 2003 U.S. led Iraqi invasion, according to Moore.


"While the Iraqi people must continue to assume responsibility for their destiny, the coalition must continue to support those who share our vision for a stable and prosperous Iraq and peace for themselves and its neighbors," said Louis L. Bono, U.S. regional embassy office director.

The U.S. provided tactical aerial support and Iraqi general Mohan Al- Fireji, the most senior Iraqi officer, increased the presence of his own troops in order to allow for a safe and seamless transition of responsibility of the Basra palace to the ISF.

"Today we celebrate the takeover of the Basra palace from the multinational forces," said Iraq's national security advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie.

According to Moore, the British will continue to provide support to the ISF and insist that this is not a "retreat" on their part.

"It is a happy day as it represents restoring of national sovereignty," Rubaie said.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2007
• Date Posted: 09.17.2007 15:21
• Story ID: 12410
• Location: BASRA, IQ