DUPE

[kskiska]

The British Army is to start pulling troops out of Iraq next month despite the deteriorating security situation in much of the country, The Observer has learnt.

The main British combat force in Iraq, about 5,000-strong, will be reduced by around a third by the end of October during a routine rotation of units.

The news came amid another day of mayhem in Iraq, which saw a suicide bomber kill at least 23 people and injure 53 in the northern city of Kirkuk. The victims were queueing to join Iraq's National Guard.

More than 200 people were killed last week in one of the bloodiest weeks since last year's invasion, strengthening impressions that the country is spinning out of control.

(snip)

The forthcoming 'drawdown' of British troops in Basra has not been made public and is likely to provoke consternation in both Washington and Baghdad. Many in Iraq argue that more, not fewer, troops are needed. Last week British troops in Basra fought fierce battles with Shia militia groups.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1307980,00.html

[Massacure]

1. Blair is bailing on Bush!?!?

[Jacobin]

2. Blair is running for his political life

He's a dead man walking politically and apparently he's trying to save his ass.

[KittyWampus]

3. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x837672

[Moderator]

4. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=837672