Review: Major events involving British troops in Iraq

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-01-2009 08:29

Let's take a brief look at some major events involving British troops in Iraq.

In March 2003, Britain sent 45,000 troops to join the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

British soldiers secure the area following a road side bomb  in Basra.(AFP/File/Essam -al-Sudani)

Since the end of the war in April 2003, British troops have been based near Basra Airport in the south of the country.

Their mission was to restore essential infrastructure and services and provide security.

179 UK servicemen and women have died in Iraq of the end of last year.

British troop numbers were the second largest under then Prime Minister Tony Blair. They peaked during the invasion, and has been falling since.