British Forces Ended Operations In Basra And Handed Power To US Commander

British Forces Ended Operations In Basra And Handed Power To US Commander

(NSI News Source Info) BASRA, IRAQ - May 1, 2009: Commander 20th Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Tom Beckett shakes hands with Colonel Henry A Kievenaar, US Commander 2-4 BCT, as he transfers power at the Brigade Transfer of Authority ceremony at the Contingency Operating Base, located at Basra International Airport on April 30 2009 in Basra, Iraq. After six years, British forces have ended all combat operations in southern Iraq and have handed over power to the American military.

The withdrawal of British combat troops from Iraq has already begun and by 31 July 2009 the vast bulk of British Armed Forces will have all left the country.