British Govt. To Delay Withdrawal Of Military Troops From Iraq

March 19, 2008 11:39 a.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - The British government revealed on Wednesday that it's delaying earlier plans to withdraw thousands of military troops from Iraq.

The decision came following the non-stop attacks on the military camp in Basra airport, where British troops are based. Authorities also said that the Iraqi army continue to depend on British troops for assistance in military skills and training.

Britain has an approximate 4,100 troop members stationed in Iraq. Prime Minister Gordon declared last year that some soldiers would be allowed to go home in spring, reducing the number of troops to 2500.

"Following a force level review conducted in theater, we have decided - after taking advice from commanders on the ground - that troop levels cannot come down by more than a few hundred," an unnamed source told The Daily Telegraph.

Agence France-Presse was told by a defense ministry spokeswoman that any plans to withdraw troops lie on the hands of the officials conducting military operations in Iraq.

She said, "We do plan for a withdrawal, but when and timings of which will be down totally to the commanders on the ground."

An estimated 1,500 troop members, who were already told to go home in April are now asked again to stay, until the end of June. Some are forced to stay until they are replaced with new member troops.