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U.K. rejects Sadr claim

LONDON: British Army on Tuesday reacted with anger to claims that it had been “defeated” in Basra and was being forced to “retreat” because of the growing resistance from militant Iraqi groups.

The claim was made by Moqtada al-Sadr, chief of Mehdi Army, the radical Shia group, in an interview to The Independent newspaper on Monday.

Commenting on Britain’s plans to withdraw most of its 5,500 troops from Iraq by the end of next year, the cleric said the British Army had realised that it was a war it was not going to win.

“The British have given up and they know they will be leaving Iraq soon.

“They are retreating because of the resistance they have faced. Without that they would have stayed for much longer, there is no doubt,” he said.

Mr. Sadr also claimed that his group had played an “important role” in making Britain realise that “this is not a war they should be fighting or one they can win”. By joining the invasion, Britain had made “enemies of Muslims” and put the lives of its people in danger, he said.

The British military spokesman Major Mike Shearer described Mr. Sadr’s remarks as an attempt to create a “false impression” that his group was driving out British forces from Basra.

The British plans, he said, were intended to allow Iraqi security forces to take over control and had nothing to do with Mehdi army’s activities.

“That is not the case. The reality is it makes sense, the closer we get to achieving Iraqi control in Basra province, that we reduce our operational footprint in the city and allow the Iraqi security forces to take the lead in policing security of their own city.”

Mr. Sadr’s claim came amid growing criticism in America of Britain’s planned gradual withdrawal from Iraq.

Only two days ago, a senior American military officer was quoted by The Sunday Telegraph as saying the British move could have “long-lasting implications”.

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