'More troops' call for Iraq

British soldiers adopt a 'softly, softly' approach

The death of six Royal Military Police officers in Iraq has prompted calls for more British troops in Iraq and changes to tactics.

Some commanders fear the incident and a separate attack on a patrol may mark the start of an escalation of attacks on British troops and the end of their so-called honeymoon period.

Until now the British have taken pride in a "softly, softly" style of patrolling with berets instead of helmets, no flak jackets and open-topped vehicles.

It is depicted as the traditional British hearts and minds approach, in dramatic contrast to the American approach which is viewed as far more aggressive and far more confrontational.

Up until Tuesday's attacks, 20 American troops had been killed since the end of "main hostilities" and no British soldiers in combat at all.

The UK presence had been scaled down but is still substantial, with 16,000 troops in Iraq and 10,000 of them land forces.

Trying to retrieve the situation now needs even more troops

Air Marshal Sir Tim Garden

One of the larger presences is the British 1st Armoured Division in and around Basra, which includes the Royal Military Police and the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, involved in Tuesday's attacks.

But some experts feel Tony Blair has no choice but to send reinforcements to Iraq, a move which would have financial as well as political consequences.

A former assistant chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshal Sir Tim Garden, said it was time to involve the international community.

"Trying to retrieve the situation now needs even more troops. We are going to have to see a lot more troops going in.

"We are short of them in the UK, even America is finding it difficult to replace its troops. It's got to bring the international community in very rapidly."

Uncomfortable position

The issue may have been discussed at an urgent meeting on Iraq in Downing Street between the defence secretary, foreign secretary and the prime minister.

Shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin said the government was in an uncomfortable position.

"If we need to send more troops, we will need to send more troops. The problem for the government is the armed forces are already very overstretched.

"But that is the government's problem. They must make sure we have the resources to do this mission as safely as possible."

Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch said Iraq must not be abandoned.

"We certainly shouldn't withdraw our troops from Iraq. We actually went into Iraq and the president and the prime minister gave all sorts of assurance and all sorts of promises to the people of Iraq that we would stay there and rebuild their country.

"We can't really start to rebuild their country properly until we have peace on the streets."