Iraq diggers redeployed to 'riskier' role

The Weekend Australian ^ | 16th June 2006

[naturalman1975]

AUSTRALIA is expected to announce the withdrawal of its forces from the Iraqi province of Al Muthanna next week, paving the way for their redeployment to another, more risky role in the country's south.

Iraq's deputy Prime Minister Salam Zikam Ali al-Zubaie confirmed Iraq was planning to take over security responsibilities from Australian, British and Japanese forces in southern Iraq this month.

The confirmation was in response to reports from Japan that Australia, British and Japanese troops were set to transfer their responsibility for security in Al Muthanna to Iraqi authorities next week and withdraw from the area soon after.

"There is an agreement to take over the security responsibilities from the British, Australian and Japanese forces in southern Iraq during this month," Mr al-Zubaie said.

"There is such a plan and such news is not based on nothing.

"We hope that the Iraqi security forces will live up to their duties there. It is the dream of all Iraqis that our forces will handle security issues all over Iraq."

Japan's Kyodo News agency reported British officials saying Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki would make the announcement next Tuesday.

Britain was then expected to announce the pullout of its forces from Al Muthanna, with Japan and Australia to follow soon after.

Kyodo reported that Japan would announce a pullout from the city of Samawah, possibly on Wednesday, with Australia following suit the same day.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson would not confirm the reports but conceded an Iraqi announcement was imminent.

He stressed it did not mean Australia was planning to withdraw from Iraq.

"This is the next important phase in Iraq having its own self determined national government and arrangements for providing security that exist in all other developed countries," Dr Nelson said.

"Australia is not about to withdraw its troops from Iraq, we are committed to seeing our troops remain in Iraq until the task is completed.

"The completion of that task will be the subject of discussion between the Iraqi national government and our coalition partners and that transition essentially will be when Iraq believes ... it is in a position to provide for its own security arrangements."

Last month, Dr Nelson outlined plans for the redeployment of the Australian troops, who are currently providing security for Japanese engineers.

He flagged Australia's 460-member Al Muthanna Task Group would be redeployed to another area in southern Iraq, which would be potentially more dangerous.

While he would not say where they were headed, Dr Nelson indicated he did not want them in Basra, where British troops have been routinely attacked by Shiite militants.

Deployment ... troops are out of the frying pan