British soldiers officially started to withdraw from Iraq on Tuesday, signalling the end of six years of military operations. According to AFP, the flag of the British headquarters in Basra was lowered during a ceremony marking the start of a months-long process that will see all 4,100 British troops leave the country by the end of July.
"One hundred and seventy-nine gallant warriors of the United Kingdom made the supreme sacrifice," said General Ray Odierno, the senior US army officer in Iraq, in tribute to the British personnel who have died in the country since 2003. "We have shed blood together and that is a bond that no man can break," he told about 300 guests, including British and Iraqi officers and diplomats, shortly before a US army flag was raised and the colours of the Royal Marines were lowered.
"You have restored hope where chaos reigned," Odierno added.
Britain's chief of defence staff Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup paid tribute "to those who made the ultimate sacrifice" and described the Iraq campaign as "a noble endeavour." "This occasion is about the countless number of men and women from the far-flung corners of the United States and from Great Britain who have striven with such courage here," he said. "I salute you with pride."
Major General Andy Salmon, the senior British officer in Basra, handed over the southern base to an American commander.
A deal signed by Baghdad and London last year agreed that the last 4,100 British soldiers would complete their mission -- primarily training the Iraqi army -- by June, before a complete withdrawal from the country in late July.
