Black Watch major warns of more attacks as handover draws closer (Basra)

[Barrett808]

Black Watch major warns of more attacks as handover draws closer
JUDE SHEERIN
IN BASRA

THE commanding officer of the Black Watch in Iraq has warned that insurgent attacks will rise ahead of the planned security handover to local forces in the Basra area next year.

The UK government last month announced plans to switch control of the southern city of Basra to Iraqi security forces at some point next spring, and Major Ben Wrench, officer commanding of 3 Scots (Black Watch), said they were already seeing increased activity from factions vying to claim the credit for ousting the British.

Speaking from his base at Shaibah, near Basra, Major Wrench said: "What we feel is that the insurgents, or terrorists and criminals as we refer to them, are operating from the north and moving south. We are beginning to see increased activity coming from the north as groups try to jostle for position, knowing that at some stage we will be withdrawing.

"They know we're not here indefinitely. If you say you're going to go, the population will jostle for position. If you don't say you're going to go, you'll get other people within the population who want you to go. It's a Catch-22 situation."

(more)

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1835642006

[4morewars]

1. With all due respect to the Major,

They all should have stayed the fuck at home.

[bemildred]

2. If you were to pack up and leave NOW, Major, this would not be a problem. nt