Basra retreat - The 4 Rifles Battlegroup has today, Monday 3 September 2007, repositioned from Basra Palace to the Contingency Operating Base at Basra Air Station. The move is the result of a planned operation which sees responsibility for the palace pass to Iraqi Security Forces.<\/td><\/tr>');
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Basra retreat - The 4 Rifles Battlegroup has today, Monday 3 September 2007, repositioned from Basra Palace to the Contingency Operating Base at Basra Air Station. The move is the result of a planned operation which sees responsibility for the palace pass to Iraqi Security Forces.<\/td><\/tr>');
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The 4 Rifles Battlegroup has left Basra Palace for the Contingency Operating Base at Basra Air Station. The move is the result of a planned operation which sees responsibility for the palace pass to Iraqi Security Forces.
This activity completes part of the agreed transition process developed in conjunction with the Iraqi Government and indicates the increasing willingness and capability of the Iraqi Security Forces to take responsibility for security in Basra. UK forces will retain security responsibility for Basra province until it is transferred to Provincial Iraqi Control.
On the road to the 'contingency operating base' at
Basra airport
Basra Palace has been in coalition control since 2003, with the 4 Rifles Battlegroup having been based there since May 2007. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Sanders, Commanding Officer of the 4 Rifles Battlegroup, said: "I leave Basra Palace with a mixture of sadness and great pride. The last three months have been a life changing experience for all of us in the 4 Rifles Battlegroup. We have fought hard and lost many good friends due to both death and serious injury.
"I sincerely believe that we have made a real difference. Our actions in taking the fight back to the militias and strong relationship with the local population will leave them with the lasting courage and confidence to continue to stand up to the militias once we depart.
"On balance, I feel that it is right for us to leave the city now. It is time the Iraqi people take the security lead in their own way; my impression is many are eager to face this challenge. The work we have done in the past few months has played an important role in making this possible.
"Above all, my resounding memory of Basra Palace will be of the courage and resilience of the Riflemen and other servicemen and women in Multi-National Division (South East), who have supported us during our time here; they have been simply magnificent. I am deeply proud of them all and we leave with our heads held high."
Handing over to the Iraqi Security Forces
The operation to reposition the battlegroup began on September 3, at 2200 hrs local time. Just before 0100 hrs a bugler sounded the advance as the Battlegroup moved out of the Palace in Bulldog, Mastiff, and Warrior vehicles, and helicopters flew overhead.
As the British troops began their trip back to Basra Air Base 4 Rifles' regimental flag was lowered and the Iraqi Army hoisted theirs in its place. The operation went successfully and all the personnel from Basra Palace had arrived at the Contingency Operating Base by 1155 hrs local time on the same day, where they were welcomed back with hot food, a chance to wash, and a well earned rest.
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