British hand over Basra in disarray
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Nine of 18 provinces are now under Iraqi security forces. But central and southern Iraq face a vicious power struggle between Shiite parties and militias.
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British soldiers began withdrawing Sunday from their last base in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, paving the way for fresh troop cuts and fueling worries about the security of the country's second-largest city and the surrounding region.
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BASRA, Iraq  - Britain handed responsibility for security in Basra province to Iraqi forces on Sunday, effectively marking the end of nearly five years of British control of the southern part of Iraq.
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Iraq formally took over security control of the southern oil province of Basra from British forces on Sunday paving the way for Britain to sharply reduce its nearly 5,000-strong troop presence.
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BASRA, Iraq  - Britain handed over security on Sunday to Iraqi forces in the last of four provinces it once patrolled, effectively marking the end of nearly five years of British control of southern Iraq.
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Britain could transfer control of the southern city of Basra to Iraqi authorities early next year, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said, but aides downplayed prospects of a rapid pullout.
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The drawdown of British troops in Basra is a sign of a new Prime Minister's priorities
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Britain welcomed Tuesday an announcement that Iraqi forces will take over the southern province of Basra, currently under the security control of around 5,200 British troops, in mid-December.
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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has dismissed a suggestion that a withdrawal by UK troops from their base in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was a defeat, insisting it was an "organized" move.
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British troops were quitting the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Sunday night in another step towards handing over the province to Iraqi control and paving the way for an eventual withdrawal of British forces from Iraq.
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British troops will formally take a back seat to Iraqi forces in the southern province of Basra on Sunday with the handover of security responsibility to government troops.
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Saddam Hussein's palace is the only British base in Basra after troops withdraw from police headquarters.
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British Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington Regiment, walk in the center of Basra, southern Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004 during clashes with armed gunmen.
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BASRA, Iraq  - Britain handed over security to Iraqi forces on Sunday in the last of four provinces it once patrolled, effectively marking the end of nearly five years of British control of southern Iraq.
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BAGHDAD - British troops and armor rolled north from Basra yesterday to take over a deadly area near Baghdad and free up US troops for a widely expected attack on the Iraqi rebel-held city of Fallujah.
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As it exits Basra, the Army deals with disillusionment, inside and out.
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Â· Siege fear as Britain plans handover to Iraqis Â· Commanders say they expect attacks to increase