UK mission in Basra: key facts and figures

Nearly six years after the US-led invasion, the UK mission in Iraq is ending. Here is an overview of some of the key facts and figures about the UK forces' presence in Basra.

Initially, the UK presence in Basra attracted little of the violence aimed at US forces elsewhere in Iraq. However, by 2006, the rebellion was spreading to the area under British command. The height of the violence came during 2007 when rocket attacks against the British base at Basra's international airport occurred on an almost daily basis. The planting of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, also took their toll.

UK forces had five bases in and around Basra. They began to vacate them or hand them over to the Iraqis during 2007. Basra International Airport was officially handed over to US control in April.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Ministry of Defence
Iraq Body Count
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