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Britain's Longest Campaign Ends

Brit Army campaign in Northern Ireland shuts down

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 30, 2007 5:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – The British Army's military campaign in Northern Ireland comes to an end at midnight tomorrow—after 38 years of bloodshed. It's  the longest conflict in the army's history. Some 300,000 military personnel served; casualties included 763 soldiers, and 309 civilians  and members of paramilitary groups. 

The 5,000 soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland will remain but not as part of a security force. Lessons learned fighting the Provisional IRA have been used in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq. There will be no celebration, only a moment of silence. "You should not have the Army on your streets; it is an aberration," said the deputy commander.

North Belfast Orange Order members react to large fireworks thrown at them as they make their way past the mainly Roman Catholic Ardoyne area of North  Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, July, 12, 2007.  Thousands of Orange Order members and bands paraded across Northern Ireland to celebrate the 1690 Battle of...
North Belfast Orange Order members react to large fireworks thrown at them as they make their way past the mainly Roman Catholic Ardoyne area of North Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, July, 12, 2007....   (Associated Press)
Private Andrew Mason, right, of the 2nd Battalion The Prince of Wales Royal Regiment British Army closes the gate for the last time to Bessbrook Army base in South Armagh, Northern Ireland, Monday, June, 25, 2007.  The British Army moved out of South Armagh, the move is a step in...
Private Andrew Mason, right, of the 2nd Battalion The Prince of Wales Royal Regiment British Army closes the gate for the last time to Bessbrook Army base in South Armagh, Northern Ireland, Monday, June,...   (Associated Press)
A Protestant watches a bonfire in the loyalist Shankill Road area of West  Belfast, Northern Ireland, early Thursday, July 12, 2007.  Protestants from across Northern Ireland have been lighting  bonfires  late Wednesday to celebrate the the 1690 Battle of the Boyne when the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the...
A Protestant watches a bonfire in the loyalist Shankill Road area of West Belfast, Northern Ireland, early Thursday, July 12, 2007. Protestants from across Northern Ireland have been lighting bonfires...   (Associated Press)
Riot police move onto the Crumlin road after fireworks were thrown during an Orange Parade in Belfast, northern Ireland Thursday July 12, 2007. Tens of thousands of Orangemen and supporters gathered for the annual July 12 celebrations of the Battle of the Boyne, the 1690 victory of Protestant King William...
Riot police move onto the Crumlin road after fireworks were thrown during an Orange Parade in Belfast, northern Ireland Thursday July 12, 2007. Tens of thousands of Orangemen and supporters gathered for...   (Associated Press)
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