U.S. Troops To Replace Departing U.K. Forces In Iraq After No Extension

December 21, 2008 1:51 p.m. EST

Basra, Iraq (AHN) - As the British troops prepare to leave Iraq by the end of New Year's Day, there is a rising speculation that the United States security forces are likely to replace them.

The reports said British government lawyers have been trying to dig up all potential options to extend the stay of the British troops in Iraq beyond the current deadline.

The United States have already received a nod from the Iraqi policymakers to leave Iraqi cities by June and exit the country completely by the end of 2011, according to the agreement signed in November.

Currently, there are approximately 142,500 U.S. troops deployed in Iraq. The U.K. has 4,100 troops stationed the southern port city of Basra in Iraq.

Under the United Nations mandate, the presence of coalition forces in Iraq will expire at the end of the year.

Iraqi Parliament on Saturday denied to authorize a security pact that would allow the British troops to extend their stay in the country and to continue training Iraqi security personnel until May.

Under the current deal with Iraqi government, only a few number of British military personnel would remain after July 31 next year to continue naval training for Iraqi sailors, primarily to protect oil platforms, according to CNN.

Recently, Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, addressed troops on an unannounced visit to a military base in Balad, located in the northwest of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

"Anyone who thought that the upcoming months might present opportunities to test the new administration would be sorely mistaken," Gates said at the Manama Dialogue conference.

In addition, starting next year, the U.S. commanders will require authorization from Iraqi government for any operations. Any U.S. security personnel who commits crimes while not on or off duty will be tried under Iraqi legal jurisdiction based on the latest pact.

The British government is likely to increase troops in Afghanistan, where there are now around 33,000 U.S. troops deployed.

Last week Gordon Brown said the number of U.K. troops was to rise by 300 in March, which would push up the British deployment to 8,300 from March until August next year.

On Saturday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said that the U.S. is expected to send up to 30,000 additional security personnel to Afghanistan in 2009.