British forces handed over control of Basra province to local Iraqi officials yesterday, ending five years of British occupation in southern Iraq.
“Today we stand before a historic juncture and a special day, one of the greatest days in the modern history of Basra,” said Mohammed Mosbah al-Waeli, governor of Basra, the last of four provinces to be occupied by the British.
Major General Graham Binns, commander of the British forces in Iraq, said he was confident that the 30,000 Iraqi security forces and police could maintain stability in the oil-rich province.
The city of Basra is Iraq’s second largest, and provides the main oil export hub for the entire country.
Despite the recent reduction in violence in the predominantly Shiite region, a triple car bomb attack that killed 40 people in a neighboring province last week has the people and government of Basra on high alert.
There has also been a surge in so-called ‘honor’ killings by militants who have murdered women for not observing strict Islamic practices such as wearing headscarves. The mutilated bodies of over forty women and their children have been discovered around Basra over the past few months.
Residents of Basra had mixed feelings regarding the readiness of the Iraqi security forces and police to provide security in the province.
“Today we are happy security will be handed over from the occupying British forces to Iraqi forces,” said local teacher Adel Jassem. “You can see this happiness on the faces of everyone. It feels like a heavy burden has been lifted off our chests.”
Yet Faisal Sharhan, a 28 year-old merchant, had some reservations. “The handover is a good step, but we hope that Iraqi forces are ready,” he said. “I don't think they are fully ready, and the handover should have been delayed.”
Just over 4,500 British troops remain in Iraq, less than one-tenth of the number sent by former Prime Minister Tony Blair for the US-led invasion in 2003.
The UK will maintain a base at Basra airport and troops will be involved only in training and rapid response, if needed.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has vowed to further scale down the British presence to 2,500 by the middle of next year.
