U.S. troops will support ‘our security forces’ – Basra governor

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: The U.S. forces scheduled to assume the security mission after the British forces’ withdrawal will support the Iraqi forces to prepare the atmosphere for investment and reconstruction operations in the province, the Basra governor said on Tuesday. “The U.S. forces’ role will not be limited to contributing to maintaining the security and stability in Basra, but will play a role in the reconstruction operations in the province,” Musbeh al-Waeli told IraqiNews.com news agency. “The British forces started to withdraw from Basra and will be replaced by the U.S. troops as it started withdrawing from the base at the Basra international airport,” he added. British forces have begun their official withdrawal from Basra after the U.K.’s commander in the south of the country handed over the responsibilities over the base at the Basra international airport to a U.S. general, wrapping up a six-year military presence in the country. Most of Britain’s 4,100 troops will leave by 31 May, the official end-of-combat date. About 400 will remain after that, either in HQ roles or to train the Iraqi Navy. SH (P)/SR 1