The British government announced on Tuesday to postpone the withdrawal of its troops home from Iraq, due to violence in Basra, southern Iraq.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Defense Secretary Des Browne said: "In the light of the last week's events, it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding."
During the weekend, British forces became directly involved in fighting between the Iraqi army and Shia militiamen.
Since last October, Britain has cut its troop numbers from 5,000 to 4,000. But plans for a further reduction to 2,500, as announced last October to begin this spring, had been halted, he said.
"It is absolutely right that military commanders review plans when conditions on the ground change," he said. But he added the British government was still committed to reducing troops numbers.
Browne outlined recent involvement by British forces in Basra, saying tanks, armored vehicles and artillery had been used to provide "in extremis" support to Iraqi units on the ground, while one of the Iraqi headquarters was resupplied by another British battle group.
It was the first time British troops had directly joined the fighting since the Iraqi army operation began last Tuesday.
Basra was taken by British forces in 2003. They withdrew from the city to the airport last autumn, and handed over security to Iraqi forces last December.
Source:Xinhua
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