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Britain Ends Iraq Mission

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2009 6:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – Britain officially ended its combat operations in Iraq today, lowering the flags of its armored brigade and turning over control of its Basra base to US troops, the Guardian reports. “The role of British ground forces is finished,” a defense official confirmed. “Today, Iraq is a success story,” added Gordon Brown, after a meeting with Nouri al-Maliki in London. “Britain can be proud of our legacy that we leave there.”

A ceremony was also held in Basra today to commemorate the 179 British personnel killed during the 6-year war. Brown said the UK owed them a “huge debt of gratitude.”

British Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, center, former head of coalition operations in South Eastern Iraq, speaks during a hand over ceremony in Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2009.
British Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, center, former head of coalition operations in South Eastern Iraq, speaks during a hand over ceremony in Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)
Britain's Major General Andy Salmon, left, shakes hands with US General Michael Oates to hand over military command of coalition forces in Basra, March 31, 2009.
Britain's Major General Andy Salmon, left, shakes hands with US General Michael Oates to hand over military command of coalition forces in Basra, March 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/Adrian Harlen, MOD, ho)
A British soldier looks at plaques on the memorial wall in front of 20th Armoured Brigade headquarters on the main coalition military base at Basra.
A British soldier looks at plaques on the memorial wall in front of 20th Armoured Brigade headquarters on the main coalition military base at Basra.   (AP Photo/Lewis Whyld/PA)
A British soldier kisses the flag of Great Britain during a hand over ceremony in Basra, Iraq, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
A British soldier kisses the flag of Great Britain during a hand over ceremony in Basra, Iraq, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Fondue
Apr 30, 2009 3:24 AM CDT
Good on ya, and we are proud of your service. Now, if we could just get our good men and women home too.

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