UK forces end combat operations in Iraq

British forces were ending combat operations in Iraq today in a move that means they are finally returning home after more than six years.

The drawdown of the bulk of the 3,700 UK troops remaining in Iraq will now speed up in the coming days.

“Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq," said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who this morning met his Iraqi counterpart Nouri al-Maliki in Downing St.

Mr Brown said Britain was "taking steps to strengthen and deepen" its relationship with Iraq and to make it a "long-term partnership of equals".

“Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq. The flag of 20 Armoured Brigade will be lowered as British combat patrols in Basra come to an end and our armed forces prepare to draw down.”

British Defence Secretary John Hutton flew into Basra for a service to honour the 179 British personnel who lost their lives in the conflict.

Meanwhile, UK troops carried out their final patrols outside the main coalition military base in Basra before handing over to the Americans.

Britain will formally pass authority for operations in southern Iraq to the US later today, a month earlier than timetabled.

The end of combat missions marks a major landmark in a controversial and bloody military campaign that has lasted 2,232 days – longer than both World Wars.

Britain’s participation in the US-led war in Iraq has come at great human and financial cost.

The security situation in Basra province has improved significantly in the past year.

A major Iraqi army-led operation against militias in Basra city known as Charge of the Knights, which began in March last year, has resulted in far fewer insurgent attacks.

But there are still signs of underlying tensions.

The UK handed military control of coalition troops in Basra to the US army at the end of March.

All but about 400 of the remaining British troops in Iraq will be withdrawn by July 31.