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Iraqis take control of Basra province

— PHOTO: AFP

TAKING OVER: Iraqi soldiers parade during the handover of Basra province by British forces, in Basra city on Sunday.

DUBAI: Four-and-a-half years after the Anglo-American invasion, Iraqi authorities have taken control of Basra province from British troops.

In a ceremony at Basra airport, British and Iraqi officials signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise the transfer.

British troops had withdrawn from Basra city to their airport base three months ago.

Out of Iraq’s 18 provinces, Basra is the ninth to assume responsibility for its own security.

Notwithstanding the pullback, 4,500 British troops are still stationed in Iraq. British forces could engage in fighting in case they are themselves attacked, or, if Iraqi authorities seek their help.

More than 85 per cent the people in Basra are of the view that the presence of British troops has had a negative impact on their province since the occupation of Iraq in 2003, a BBC poll based on interviews of a 1,000 residents revealed.

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