Post by Taxigirl on Nov 16, 2004 8:10:55 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4014373.stm
The Black Watch regiment could arrive back in the UK sooner than expected, the BBC has learned.
The regiment's controversial deployment at Camp Dogwood, standing in for US troops, is due to end on 3 December.
But the US assault on Falluja is almost over, leaving US forces free to take over, say military sources in Iraq.
David Loyn, BBC correspondent in Iraq, says political pressure on the government will increase the longer the troops stay at Camp Dogwood.
The 850-strong force has been attacked repeatedly since it took over from US forces at the base, 20 miles (32km) from Baghdad.
Four soldiers have been killed and 12 more injured in the past two weeks.
'Militarily irresponsible'
Senior military sources in Iraq said they are at Camp Dogwood "doing a specific blocking task" while US forces concentrate on Falluja.
The source said: "If Falluja finishes sooner than expected, we can bring the Black Watch home early.
"There is nothing we would like to do more than that."
And Britain has already told the US that no British solders will replace the Black Watch.
It is believed UK-controlled southern Iraq would be left exposed if more troops are redeployed.
Our correspondent says they will not be replaced "even if the Americans are still experiencing difficulties in this region".
And a military source said replacing the Black Watch with other British troops would be "militarily irresponsible".
Another source accepted that someone would need to fill the "vacuum" left by Black Watch's withdrawal.
"Other forces will be needed in the future, but it won't be us," said the source.
'Operational constraints'
Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced to the House of Commons that the troops would be back home by Christmas.
But military commanders have expressed surprise at the certainty of Mr Blair's statement, given the "fast-moving situation" in Iraq.
One commander said the announcement has put them under "operational constraints".
The Black Watch battle group comprises three companies of armoured infantry from the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, with some 500 men and 50 Warrior armoured fighting vehicles.
The regiment, which traditionally recruits from Perthshire, Angus and Fife, is based in Warminster, Wiltshire.
Pooled copy from Independent and Sun correspondents was used to compile this article.
The Black Watch regiment could arrive back in the UK sooner than expected, the BBC has learned.
The regiment's controversial deployment at Camp Dogwood, standing in for US troops, is due to end on 3 December.
But the US assault on Falluja is almost over, leaving US forces free to take over, say military sources in Iraq.
David Loyn, BBC correspondent in Iraq, says political pressure on the government will increase the longer the troops stay at Camp Dogwood.
The 850-strong force has been attacked repeatedly since it took over from US forces at the base, 20 miles (32km) from Baghdad.
Four soldiers have been killed and 12 more injured in the past two weeks.
'Militarily irresponsible'
Senior military sources in Iraq said they are at Camp Dogwood "doing a specific blocking task" while US forces concentrate on Falluja.
The source said: "If Falluja finishes sooner than expected, we can bring the Black Watch home early.
"There is nothing we would like to do more than that."
And Britain has already told the US that no British solders will replace the Black Watch.
It is believed UK-controlled southern Iraq would be left exposed if more troops are redeployed.
Our correspondent says they will not be replaced "even if the Americans are still experiencing difficulties in this region".
And a military source said replacing the Black Watch with other British troops would be "militarily irresponsible".
Another source accepted that someone would need to fill the "vacuum" left by Black Watch's withdrawal.
"Other forces will be needed in the future, but it won't be us," said the source.
'Operational constraints'
Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced to the House of Commons that the troops would be back home by Christmas.
But military commanders have expressed surprise at the certainty of Mr Blair's statement, given the "fast-moving situation" in Iraq.
One commander said the announcement has put them under "operational constraints".
The Black Watch battle group comprises three companies of armoured infantry from the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, with some 500 men and 50 Warrior armoured fighting vehicles.
The regiment, which traditionally recruits from Perthshire, Angus and Fife, is based in Warminster, Wiltshire.
Pooled copy from Independent and Sun correspondents was used to compile this article.