Defence secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed today that hundreds of British soldiers are to be deployed further into central Iraq. This comes as a response to a US request.
The deployment of about 850 troops and support staff would last "weeks rather than months" Mr Hoon told the House of Commons today.
Basing his decision on military advice Mr Hoon confirmed that soldiers from the Black Watch regiment will move to near the capital Baghdad from their base in Southern Iraq.
"After careful evaluation, the chiefs of staff have advised me that UK forces are able to undertake the proposed operation, that there is a compelling military operational justification for doing so, and that it entails a militarily acceptable level of risk for UK forces," said the defence secretary.
Claims that Britain planned to send a further 1,300 soldiers to Iraq were denied by Mr Hoon.
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