What are British forces doing in Iraq?
British Armed Forces have been helping the Iraqis to secure and rebuild their country after years of neglect and conflict.
The mission of the MNF-I has been working in partnership with the Iraqi Government to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq. This has involved the direct provision of security by MNF-I through security operations. and most importantly training and equipping the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) so that the Iraqi authorities have been able to take responsibility for providing security themselves.
During his speech to Parliament on 22 July 2008, Prime Minister Gordon Brown underlined our mission objective in Iraq, saying that the UK seeks:
"The creation of an independent, prosperous, democratic Iraq that is free of terrorist violence, secure within its borders and a stable presence in the region - something that is firmly in Britain's interests and in the interests of the world as a whole.
"To achieve this, we have sought with America and other allies to support the Iraqi Government as they now take on greater responsibility for their own security and safeguarding their new democracy, challenging those - whether terrorists, insurgents or militia - who threaten their citizens and undermine the rule of law.
"We have also sought to foster democratic and accountable government and support national reconciliation, giving all of Iraq's communities a genuine say in the future of their country. And we have worked to help the Iraqis build their economy and give their people an economic stake in the future."
Currently, there are some 4,100 UK Forces personnel in southern Iraq. They still have important work to complete. The bulk of the deployment are from the British Army, and are focused on completing the task of mentoring and training the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army in Basra. The Royal Navy are continuing to help provide security for Iraq's offshore energy infrastructure, as well as helping to train the Iraqi Navy. The Royal Air Force provides essential support to both the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and as part of the Coalition air effort.
Under what legal basis are British forces operating in Iraq?
UK forces have the sound legal basis they need to complete their tasks in Iraq in 2009. A Resolution providing the necessary jurisdictional immunities was passed by the Iraqi Council of Representatives and then ratified by the Iraqi Presidency Council on 27 December 2008. A Memorandum of Understanding has since been signed by the Iraqi and British governments, which formally invites UK forces to complete their specific tasks.
How long will British forces stay in Iraq?
In southern Iraq, where UK forces operate, the Iraqi authorities now have lead responsibility for ensuring security and our military tasks are now largely complete. The Prime Minister was therefore able to agree with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that our current military tasks would be completed by 31 May 2009, allowing our forces to withdraw by the end of July 2009.
But the partnership between the UK and Iraq will continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through co-operation in a range of areas: economic, cultural, commercial and educational.
As part of the future relationship, the Iraqis have suggested that they would like us to continue to provide specialist military training in Baghdad, and to the Iraqi Navy at Umm Qasr. This would see up to 400 UK Service personnel remain in Iraq after July.
Security in Iraq
Today, violence is at its lowest level since 2003 and international military forces are increasingly being reduced throughout Iraq.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, responsibility for security in 13 of the 18 provinces of Iraq was transferred gradually from the Coalition to the Iraqi authorities. Following the expiry of UNSCR 1790 on 31 December 2008, the Government of Iraq now leads in maintaining security throughout Iraq, with Multi-National Forces focused on mentoring and supporting the Iraqi security forces.
Whilst still capable of appalling atrocities, Al Qaeda in Iraq has suffered repeated setbacks and indiscriminate terrorist attacks have lost it any sympathy it once enjoyed amongst some Iraqi communities.
This reflects the success of the UK and partner forces in training Iraqi troops to be able to deliver security on the streets, thereby allowing the Iraqi authorities to focus on tackling the key social challenges.
Over half a million Iraqi police and military personnel have been trained and equipped by Coalition Forces since 2004. There are approximately four Iraqi security personnel for every Coalition soldier deployed in Iraq, and this ratio is growing as Multi-National forces are able to draw down. The Coalition has also worked very closely with the Iraqi authorities to develop their Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior.
The Iraqi Police Service has made significant progress in its capability to maintain public order, investigate crimes and arrest suspects. The number of Iraqi units capable of conducting independent counter-insurgency operations is increasing steadily. There are now around 270,000 police officers trained and equipped nationwide, plus some 40,000 border enforcement personnel.
Security in Basra
In 2007, our presence in Basra was acting as a magnet for militia violence and as a propaganda tool for extreme nationalists. In consultation with the Iraqi Government and our coalition partners, we devised a strategy under which we made a calculation about the right moment for UK forces to withdraw from the centre of Basra - on our own terms and to our own time scales.
The Iraqi authorities took on responsibility for security and began to deliver an Iraqi-led security solution. General Petraeus, who personally approved the strategy, said at the time that it was "a positive step on the path to Iraqi self-reliance".
Under PM Maliki's leadership, the Iraqi Security Forces broke the power of the militias in Operation "Charge of the Knights". The operation may not have taken quite the shape or timing that we expected, but with active UK and Coalition support, the training and determination of the Iraqi Security Forces won through and delivered improved security for the people of Basra.
The success of that operation is a vindication of the long-term strategy that we have pursued with our Iraqi partners.
Security is no longer the biggest concern for ordinary Basrawis. In a poll, they put security 15th on their list of issues of concern - well below issues such as employment, public utilities and corruption. As the Defence Select Committee noted in July 2008, "the security situation in Basrah was a world away from what we saw last year."
What British Forces have achieved
British Forces have been concentrated in southern Iraq. Their key military tasks have been:
Security Force training: UK troops in the south of Iraq have trained over 22,000 policemen and 20,000 Iraqi soldiers since 2004; first as part of building up 10th Iraqi Army Division in south-eastern Iraq and, since 2007, training 14th Division in Basra. 10th Division has proved its military effectiveness, having been deployed up to Baghdad as part of Iraqi/US operations to combat Al Qa'eda and other insurgents.
We and the Iraqi authorities judge that the first stage of the general training of 14 Division's combat troops is now complete. All our training tasks - including headquarters and specialist training - will be completed by May 2009.
Naval training: Royal Navy ships will continue to patrol the Gulf area and to contribute to the defence of Iraqi territorial waters and oil platforms. With support from the UK-led Coalition Naval Training Team, the new Iraqi Navy has made great strides from the broken force inherited from the previous regime.
We are discussing with the Iraqis how we can meet their ongoing requirements for Maritime support and Naval training as part of our long-term bilateral defence relationship.
Basra International Airport: We have also worked closely with the Iraqi civilian authorities to develop Basra International Airport which will be key to the ongoing economic development of Basra and southern Iraq. The airport handles some 4,000 passengers a month and is able to cope with significant surges; in December it proved itself able to handle around 5,000 pilgrims during the Hajj. Scheduled commercial services operate routinely to Baghdad, Jordan and the Gulf States.
The RAF was able formally to hand over control of the airport to the Iraqis on 1st January 2009, the same date as Iraq took back control of its sovereign airspace.
Iraqi Security Forces have had full responsibility for security in Basra since December 2007 and have been planning how they will ensure a safe and secure environment for the forthcoming provincial elections. We have assisted in the development of those plans but do not envisage UK troops being required on the ground. The Iraqi Army is perfectly capable of doing the job.
Completing Britain's military task in Iraq
Our military tasks are now largely complete and the British and Iraqi Governments have agreed that our current military tasks would be completed by 31 May 2009, allowing the bulk of our forces to withdraw by the end of July.
Subject to the Iraqis' precise requirements, around 400 troops will remain after July to provide long-term training and capacity-building to the Iraqi Security Forces.
Between the start of operations in 2003 and 2009, 178 UK Service personnel and one MOD civilian have died on Operation Telic. We pay tribute to the sacrifice they made in service of their country, and to their family and friends.
Iraq's progress shows that their sacrifice has not been in vain.