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From The Times

April 10, 2008

Iraq snubbed Britain and calls US into Basra battle

Deborah Haynes and Michael Evans

Relations between Britain and Iraq suffered “catastrophic failure” after Baghdad bypassed the British military and called in the American “cavalry” to help the recent offensive against Shia militia in Basra, The Times has learnt.

About 550 US troops, including some from the 82nd Airborne Division, were sent from Baghdad to Basra to join up with 150 American soldiers already serving with Iraqi forces in the southern city.

The Ministry of Defence made much of the fact that British troops, based at Basra airport outside the city, were not requested in the early stages of the operation. British officials claimed that the Basra offensive was proof that Iraqi troops could cope on their own.

The Times has learnt, however, that when Britain’s most senior officer in Basra, Brigadier Julian Free, commander of 4 Mechanised Brigade, flew into the city to find out what was going on, Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi Prime Minister, who was orchestrating the attacks on militia strongholds, declined to see him.

Brigadier Free flew to Basra city with Lieutenant-General Lloyd Austin, the commander of American and coalition forces in Iraq, on March 27, two days after the operation began. The Iraqi Prime Minister spoke only to the US general.

A source familiar with the sequence of events said that Mr al-Maliki seemed to have it in for the British because of the alleged “deal” struck with the Shia militia last year under which they agreed not to attack Britain’s last battalion as it withdrew from Basra in return for the release of several of their leading members from prison.

According to The New York Times, Baghdad turned to the Americans for help when the Basra operation was launched. Two senior American military officers, Rear Admiral Edward Winters, a former member of the US Navy Seals special forces unit, and Major-General George Flynn, a Marine, were sent to Basra to help to coordinate the operation. Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were drafted in as combat advisers and air controllers were positioned to call in airstrikes.

Ryan Crocker, US Ambassador to Baghdad, told The New York Times that the first he learnt of the Iraqi plan for Basra was on March 21. “The sense we had was that this would be a long-term effort, increased pressure gradually squeezing the special groups [the Iranian-backed Shia militia],” he said. “That is not what emerged. Nothing was in place from our side. It all had to be put together.”

A source told The Times that US forces were in Basra, eating and sleeping alongside their Iraqi counterparts, “basically doing the work that we were supposed to do. It was a catastrophic failure of diplomacy.”

The source described the moment when the American general arrived at the British base from Baghdad: “Suddenly the cavalry appeared.”

The source said that the Americans provided “loads of technical equipment and combat power”. As soon as the Americans arrived and started hitting houses in Basra, the daily attacks of indirect fire on the British base stopped. The source said that during that time the mood among the British forces on the base was “miserable”.

There was even speculation that Mr al-Maliki had refused to talk to Gordon Brown since the operation began. But a Downing Street spokesman said: “Mr Maliki spoke with the Prime Minister on the phone during the Nato summit in Bucharest [last week].”

It was not clear who had initiated the phone call, but Downing Street said that the two leaders had been trying “for a few days” to speak to each other and that when they did the conversation had been “constructive”.

A defence source played down the snub, saying: “Mr al-Maliki only deals with people at a certain level.” The source added that Major-General Barney White-Spunner, the British General Officer Commanding Multinational Division Southeast, had been out of the country at the time.

British troops did become involved in the operation eventually, first with RAF Tornado GR4 aircraft firing warning shots over Shia militia areas of Basra and then supplying troops from two battle groups to help the Iraqis, although not in the city itself.

Artillery was also fired from the British base at Shia militia targets.

However, British troops are now back in Basra serving alongside Iraqi forces for the first time since withdrawing from the city in September. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that 150 British soldiers were now embedded with the Iraqis in Basra, serving as military transition teams.

The 150 British troops now in Basra city have been drawn predominantly from the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland battle group. They have been formed into six military transition teams (Mitts), made up of advisers, force protection units equipped with Mastiff and Warrior armoured vehicles, and medical support.

The presence of British troops in Basra again was the main reason why Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, told the Commons last week that the plan to reduce the force levels in Iraq from 4,000 to 2,500 from the spring had to be postponed.

Both the Americans and the British felt that Operation Charge of the Knights was a hastily conceived offensive without proper planning or consultation. The result is that the American and British military will have to be based in Basra for the foreseeable future, something which neither coalition partner had foreseen or planned for after security for the south was handed over to the Iraqis.

There were reports that Mohammed Waili, the Basra governor, was effectively under house arrest. Sources in the Basra provincial council said that his Fadhil bodyguard had been replaced by Iraqi army soldiers.

The UK military is as fine as it gets in the world. But, you cannot have effective command and control with too few troops and "leadership" comming directly from #10.

A. Adams, Biloxi, MS USA

Bring our troops home.

Jeff, Wales, Wales

We have always known that the UK forces in Iraq are hangers -on; it is the post imperial UK mentality at its worst - trying to "punch above its weight" to quote a former Tory Foreign Secretary! The game is up, UK! Time to get out of Iraq and end the era of self delusion in world affairs.

John Edgar, Cupar, Fife, Scotland

Is there is no end to the humiliations heaped upon the British Armed Forces as a result of their undermining by their own government ? We should get out now, before it just gets worse.

LG, London, England

David, Dubai & PL2, UAE & England

Wasn't it British intelligence which also supported the US's gov't claim of WMDs?

I think Brits came to this war willingly no one was dragged.

David you are right, the Americans will have to sort out the mess left by the Brits in Basra.

Nikki, Cary, NC , US

"Madness" to stay in Iraq. MADNESS? This is SPARTA!

Mike, brooklyn, ny/usa

I say to John Adams of Philadelphia please America come and liberate us in the UK now as we are living under occupation.

Tony , Worthing , UK

As an American I appreciate greatly all that UK soldiers and their families back home have sacrificed in order to help the people of Iraq toward a brighter future than they ever could have hoped for under the Saddam Hussein regime. History will look kindly upon their efforts.

"It's a long hard road... but people will be free."
Richie Havens, Woodstock 1969

Pedro Roman, Miami, Florida, USA

No wonder that the latest recruitment adverts on UK TV for the British Army show Africans thanking soldiers for digging wells and looking after their sick.
The politically correct mamby pambies that now run this once great country have decreed that it's to nasty for our forces to actually fight or even mention fighting during recruiting.
As others have mentioned in these columns the emasculated UK now faces being taken over by foreign influences and we have no way of defending ourselves.

david webb, bournemouth, uk

If we are not required I see no point in staying, lets bring our troops home now. Let America sort out the mess it got us into.

John, London, England

Britain was very wise to stay out of the fighting in Basra. It is not a question of a snub, or a failure, for Britain.

Alex, Paris, France

Great news. We are needed - in fact we should never have been there - let's get out now and not wait for permission from 1600 Penn Ave.

William Thomson, Guildford, UK

It is clear that, with or without justification, the Iraq government has lost confidence in the British Government.
It is madness to remain in the country another day.
The troops should all return to the departure lounge at Basra airport and take the next plane home.
Iraq is an independant sovereign nation and having reached the decision that it has we have no grounds for remaining.
However in view of the recent arrival of a new team of spin doctors at No 10 Brown will be advised that for this to be done would be a substantial lose of face for Brown. So we will have to wait untill the Shias force them out with, do doubt, a significant loss of life. But that will be considered a price worth paying to save his ugly mug.
Carry on applying the grease paint to your boss boys. It will do no good in the long run as Brown is now doomed to loose the next election. However you will be able to go on charging your excessive fees at the tax payers' expence to maintain the fatuous charade.

Stephen Green, Cotignac, France

This war is costing the UK a great deal of money. Looking at our current financial situation; and the Iraqi leaders' disdain I say we should withdraw now!

Freeing up our forces we could concentrate more on sorting out Afghanistan!

ChasNDave, Cumbria, UK

It seems that as soon as difficulties arise, this is seized upon as yet another "reason" to evade alliance commitments to the Iraqi's. Do we really need another jihadi Sudaten? Do we have to see Dunkirk re-enacted to please those appeasers who have nothing to die for, and nothing to really live for?

Islamo facism will take Iraq if it is permitted by us. Any hope of pushing back terrorists and their sanctuaries dissipates with retreat.

I'm not saying that all of Britain's people are acting in a less than honorable manner. It has to be embarrassing to those who understand the need for steadfastness in the face of a scurilous and determined enemy.

Mike Mitchell, Hillsboro, United States / Oregon

good they dont us there, fine, home you come lads let the americans who started the damned war finish it themselves

Barry, Chesham, Uk

I agree with the Iraqis: the British Army has quite literally handed over power to the Shia thugs in Basra, all very jolly and all very weak. This has been another deep stain on our military reputation, we are not regarded as tough and intelligent any longer - any more than the absurd Navy and its ipod toting sailors and idiot commanders are.

Of course Iraq asked for the Yanks, they can fight, not just say 'Salaam al Alekum' to local thugs and help their cause.

Great military strategy to sit in an airport, taking the occasional mortar, and not being available to fight?

Under Labour our military capacity and reputation has declined as much as all other institutions in their care.

Tom, Witney, UK

Thats it then, they don't want us and we shouldn't be there.
What on earth is this government doing, why are they not bringing our troops home?
Every lost life in this farce should remain on Blaire and Brown's conscience until they die.

Derek , Bodmin, UK

What are we fighting for? To keep the killers from taking Iraq and launching attacks on America. You know, bombs that plaster your mom and sister all over the shopping mart wall? BUT, it IS getting tiresome. Way too many of our young men are being killed. Time for the B-29's doing carpet bombing, not running away.

John Leeman, Spokane , WA

Why the hell do we bother with this country.

We got dragged into this on the American shirt tails, let them take over the whole mess and wait to see them shafted by the Iraqi government.

Brits out.

David, Dubai & PL2, UAE & England

We need to vastly increase troop numbers and inform Iran that any more covert attacks on Iraqi or coalition assets will be treated as an act of war.

Martin, Cambridge, UK

You can hardly blame the Iraqi government, given the craven manner with which the British troops have been led they are more likely to surrender than fight. The British Army used to be feared globally but since NuLab have been running the country they have morphed into just another European PC boy scouts brigade.

Not so much lions led by donkeys as lions led by social workers and out-reach co-ordinators.

Michael Gilbert, London,

Let's get our troops home and stop this Blair sponsored farce now - in case the government haven't noticed it is the public's money they are spending to prolong this operation. How can they say that they are there to foster democracy when in their own country (UK) the government and Blair ignored the will of the people to appease the US?

George, Glasgow, UK

What a fantastic opportunity to leave...now!

Bob, Warrington, Cheshire

Why is the UK offended at the, intentional or unintentional, snub in Basra??

Is it NOT time for the UK to realize that, on its own, it has no longer any value, influence or effect!

Is that NOT the inevitable position it has relegated itself to after its blind trotting behind the USA of President Bush , particularly in Iraq and in the Middle East at large, and the servile status it has, accordingly and deservedly, acquired there?

Or is it that the UK is missing, longing and hankering for the old days of its Iraqi preeminence (1920s-1950s) and its, then, uncontested primacy.

What ever the reason the UK should realize by now that in the barbaric jungle of a US dominated "alliance " there are no "allies" and NO "second fiddles"; all are, or end up by being, dispensable servants.
The UK has diligently worked for and earned that snub!

Omar Nashashibi, Amman, Jordan.

Iit goes to show that the British mind set is to cuddle the bad guys as they do in there own country,Britian is outlaw state the outlaws run the country the crimnals are having a laugh with the justice system . tail wagging the dog.

A source familiar with the sequence of events said that Mr al-Maliki seemed to have it in for the British because of the alleged â€œdealâ€ struck with the Shia militia last year under which they agreed not to attack Britainâ€™s last battalion as it withdrew from Basra in return for the release of several of their leading members from prison.

steve, chicago,illinois, usa

Crikey what a state of affairs if the Iraqies prefer american help to ours. I think reading between the lines its the british troops that have let the militia's develop a stronghold in basra and have in the years of british occupation not managed to get a firm grip of the situation.

Let american fight american wars. we did a deal with the ira, why not do a deal with al quaida. surely its the duty of the government to protect the majority of british nationals in this country rather than pander to american foreign policy. do the deal then there would be no more 7/7 on uk soil.

oh and bring those british troops home NOW.

martin B, derby,

"You can't get a little bit pregnant son", goes the expression, from I believe, the film, 'Wall Street'.

We either do the job properly or we might as well withdraw all our troops. This is not in any way a sleight against our armed forces who are the best in the world. It is a critisism of the powers that be who decide on our stratgey.

You can't fight a war with one arm tied behind your back, 'Platoon', I think.

Mathew , Perpignan, France

How much more proof is required.

British forces are not wanted, or needed, in Iraq.

Pull out now and let the Americans get on with it

Mike, Gravesend, Kent

Time to get out. We should never have got involved in the first place.

John, Eastbourne, UK

Our forces have become irrelevant. bring them home.

Simon Marshalnd, Bath, Somerset

The US Marine Corp should join the Prince of Wales. I hear they're pretty decent and like action.

Gaz HD, London, UK

The late Robin Cook stated that "There were no terrorists in Iraq until we invaded the country...". Now perhaps we are in a position to reap the whirlwind we have sown.

Augustus Blear, Langport, UK

Remember this from the campaign in the election that never was last October (just six months ago):

"Gordon Brown paved the way for the end of Britain's combat role in Iraq last night, pledging that more than half of the 5,500 troops stationed in the country will be home by next spring."

That was a "pledge". Rather like the "pledge" to give us a referendum on the European Constitution. Worthless. The man is either a liar or a fool.

eddie foster, mirthios, crete, greece

To do this properly we need to adopt the same methods as the Kmher, and the Taliban. We need to kill everyone who opposes us with arms, and re-educate everyone who is left. Otherwise we change nothing. That is what they would do if the Taliban were in Britain, and pretty soon we'd all be eating halal meat and prostating ourselves at the mosque.

Stalin, London,

Maliki was right to call the organ grinder and not the monkey.

Gamini

Gamini de Silva, Reading, United Kingdom

That's it now....the excuse we needed. Stuff 'em.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

Gordon Brown must by now realize that our boys out there are only "cannon fodder" for the Iraqi's who cannot fend for themselves. A political solution must be sought so that our lad's can return home.

Tom , Grays, Essex,, UK

The US have much better military kit than us. So if I were the Iraqi army I would pick the US to me out rather than the Brits.

Fred, London,

More of the same.

Egos, saving face, snubs among the big boys with big toys.

Meanwhile the misery continues, women, children, elderly, and sick go without the basics, and Dubya Gump & the Dick snarl and pontificate as they try to secure oil deals for their sponsors.

It' a hard, hard time to be an American.

(Please vote and donate for change. )

Adrian, Seattle, USA

It was the fall of the British backed Shar of Iran that lead to the Iranian Islamic Revolution. The fall of the western backed government in Iraq will lead to another Islamic Revolution.

When will our politicians realize that the world's nations dont want Western backed puppet regimes!

Saddam Hussain wasnt an Islamic extremist. What we have in Iraq now is what we went to war to prevent.

Its time to withdraw the troops and stop this new form of imperialism under the pretext of freedom and democracy.

Let people govern themselves!

Tim Osman, London,

How did you Brits become so sedate and afraid of a fight? I am surprised that Englands Son's dont have a tougher stomach when it comes to fighting and taking up a cause. I remember an England that would subjigate half the known world and squeeze it simply for its resources...What happened to that spirit? You dont have to be afraid of some rabble like the insurgents in Iraq throwing stones. Wear your sunday best and join in the fight!

It stands to reason that the worlds troubles will TRULY be solved (or at leasted take head on) by the SUPERIOR American troops. Dont worry England, in 10 years when your calling on NATO and your 'cousins' from USA to come to your aid since your own country is quietly being taken over by middle easterners, America will heed your cries and come help liberate you and your citizens. We are not afraid of a challenge...

John Adams, Philadelphia, USA!

Well sir, The sadrists or anyone with a militia are the problem you see. Imagine if in great Britain there, certain political parties or politicians had their own militia. You can see this would be detrimental to public order. It is quite reasonable for The Iraqi government to Demand that Mookie or any other politician or party give up their private thug squad and accept the Iraqi army if they wish to participate in the government. I personally think Mookie should have been quick fried to a crackly crunch by now. He is up to NO good.

Andy, St. Charles, USA Illinois

Can't say I blame Iraq to be honest. It's not our armed forces at fault, they're the best in the world without a doubt, it's our polichickens. None of them can make a decision and stand by it, they're all too busy looking out for their public image and trying to please all the people all the time.
I may have detested Blair as a politician but at least when he made controversial decisions he stood by them.

Phill, The Wirral, England

Ukrainian troops have pulled ot cuz our forces should not participate in ruining of Iraq. I'd like British troops to pull out too.

Rostislav, Kiev, Ukraine

Troops cant be pulled out!

the UK & Us have ruined an entire country, they should stay invest money trops what ever it takes to get that country back on its feet!

No one should be running away!

MM, Manchester, UK

So British troops were left cowering in their barracks whilst the US fought the good fight (true well maybe) - why should the Iraqi insurgents/ Iranians/ anyone be fearful/have respect for the UK if our politicians allow this to happen.

Yet again our political leaders fail to show the courage or common sense displayed daily by our undermanned, under resourced, underpaid and over stretched military. If UK forces are in Iraqi then let them do the job or get them out, at the moment they are nothing more than targets on the ground and a laughing stock to the rest of the world, especially when compared with the job they are doing in Afghanistan.

Bob Curtis, Southampton, UK

I agree with Bill Peter. I still can't understand why the current Pope allowed Blair sanctuary.

Any way, if we've fallen out with ISCI/Badr corps and the Sadrists don't want us there either, we can't even say we're there to nurture their fragile democracy or whatever spin we're putting on our presence these days.

Also, I don't like the thought of our troops being in the area if the US starts laying waste to Iran.

Chris, chesterfield, uk

This is our Northern Ireland, the army are in the business of fighting wars not keeping communities apart, we are not going to solve this unless we pull out and let them sort it out themselves.

preddo53, leeds, UK

Unjust, illegal war - time to start the Blair's trial

Gavin, London, UK

"bring the boys home"....."let them sort themselves out"...donâ€™t forget, it was the UK government (Backed by a large proportion of the UK population) along with the US that took this war to Iraq. They wanted to find the imaginary WMD, and instil democracy into the country. Now that things aren't working to what they wanted and the wealth has been plundered why are people suddenly saying that the UK should leave the country to sort itself out? If the UK/US hadnâ€™t gone to war there would not have been anything to sort out!!!!

A Reader, London,

So that's the end of the only reason for staying. The Iraqi Government doesn't want our troops to assist, even in Basra. So get them home now and no more excuses for delaying the Inquiry into the steps leading up to War in 2003.

Peter Berman, Wiveliscpmbe, Taunton, Somerset

As they say in a fight talk is cheap.

The American's were called in because they have the will and the equipment to fight their enemies as opposed to the British approach which is to posturing and spin the story while desperately negotiating deals with the enemy from a position of weakness.

Now that the US has stopped the shelling of our troops and have taken control of the situation hopefully the gradual attrition in British & commonwealth lives will stop.

Thabo, London,

What the hell are we doing there?!

Gnr Golightly, Prudhoe, England

All of this was perfectly predictable before the War. If you remove one regional superpower, the other (Iran) will encroach. This will continue until a sufficiently strong and ruthless leader spends lives to restore the balance. Then the US and Britain can withdraw.

Meanwhile, we will have achieved nothing but bloodshed and will have created a new despot. The only change will be that he is not called Saddam Hussein. So Dubya will be pleased - he got his own back on the man who was cheeky to his daddy.

Oh, and Tony Blah is already pleased - he got a war on his cv to match that of Maggie Thatcher.

Ian Tinn, Slough, England

Good.

Let's bring everyone home...NOW!

J.Smith, London,

I'm confused. Just remind me, please. Why is Britain involved? Oh yes, that's right - two Christian world leaders had "faith" in the existence of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Little did they know that the WMD were, in fact, themselves. They've caused more destruction than even Mad Saddam could have hoped for.

Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What are we fighting for? Pull our troops out and let them sort themselves out.

James G, Shanghai, China

It does not take much nous to understand the Iraqi Government position. Its desired effect worked by keeping the Brits out of the loop The Americans could not forestall by delay the need for Pm.Malaki to strengthen his hand with the Americans. So by rushing his ill prepared army into Basra the consequential need for US support meant the stationing of US troops in Basra guaranteed equally to save diplomatic face between Bush and Brown. British troops are back on the streets of Basra . Oh and yet again Iranian involvement is clearly shown.Iraqis seem to be learning the great game.

leanne balch, Brighton. Uni Sussex, UK

Interesting.

Definitely time to bring the boys home.

Not four years from now - tomorrow.

pete, york, uk

Harry Wales should join the U.S. Marines. I hear he was a pretty decent air controller and he likes action.

ajmalkov, River Forest, IL USA