Hoon announces “adjustment” of UK troops
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has announced that 370 more UK troops will be deployed to Iraq.
This will bring the total number of UK troops in Iraq to 8,900.
Two hundred of the new troops will come from the Black Watch Brigade, with 170 from other squadrons making up the numbers.
The deployment will include members of the Royal Engineers who will reinforce defences at British bases around Al Amarah following recent attacks.
These troops will replace those due to leave in June and July.
Geoff Hoon said that the changes are “adjustments” to the British forces following requests from military staff in Iraq.
Mr Hoon emphasised that all of the troops would continue to operate in the British sector under British commanding officers.
Responding, Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames said he was glad of the “long overdue and heavily trailed statement” and called for the House of Commons to be kept better informed.
He though welcomed the deployments as adding stability to the region.
Mr Soames expressed concern about the deployment of the Black Watch regiment who have been back in England for less than a year following a previous tour in Iraq.
This, he suggested, was a “manifestation of overstretch”
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch said he accepted the need for more troops on the ground.
Mr Keetch though reiterated Lib Dem calls for a vote in Parliament if the troops were called upon to be used in other areas of Iraq.
The Government has repeatedly stated that no decision has been made as to whether they will commit extra troops to replace the gap left by the withdrawal of Spanish troops.
