Operations Update as at 09 March 05 |
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Royal Green Jackets Deploy to Kosovo |
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In a Written Ministerial Statement, the Secretary of State for Defence said:
"NATO has requested the deployment to Kosovo of the United Kingdom Spearhead Land Element (SLE), which currently provides the Ready Battalion for the NATO Balkan-wide Over the Horizon Operational Reserve Force. The Battalion currently fulfilling the role of SLE is the 1st Battalion the Royal Green Jackets.
"The deployment, which was requested by NATO late on the evening of Friday, 4 March, was made in order to demonstrate the Alliance's resolve and capability in the run-up to a number of important local anniversaries, including that of violent demonstrations last year on 17 March. The Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, has also announced today that he is to resign following his indictment by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. We welcome his decision to go voluntarily to The Hague.
"Following the request from NATO, troops began to deploy to Kosovo over the weekend. A total of around 500 in all should deploy by early this week. We anticipate recovering the Battalion back to the UK within thirty days, as we did with the UK element of the Operational Reserve Force that was deployed last March, unless there are compelling operational reasons to consider leaving this capability in Kosovo for longer.
"I shall keep the house updated of any significant developments when they occur."
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British Forces take over from Dutch in Western Iraq |
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On Monday 7th March, at a handover ceremony at Camp Smitty in As Samawaha, the principle city of Al Muthanna province, British Forces assumed command from the Dutch battalion.
British troops started their initial deployment to the area two weeks ago. In preparation for their role providing continuity in the provision of security in Al Muthanna province, they have already carried out joint patrols with the Dutch and Iraqi Security Forces.
Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, attending the flag ceremony, said:
"British Forces are in a strong position to consolidate the progress made by the Dutch. They will bring, in Al Muthanna, their valuable experience from training the Iraqi Security Forces in Basra and will continue to provide security for the Iraqi people and the Japanese humanitarian operation in the area."
British General Andrew Riley, Commanding MND(SE) said:
"The Dutch have made an outstanding contribution. We can all be proud of what they have achieved, especially in building the capability of the Iraqi Security Forces. And we can also look forward to working with Australia's contingent as they join British Forces here in the weeks ahead."
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