Rocket attacks dent hopes of bringing British troops home from Basra

The deteriorating security situation in the southern city of Basra has led to concerns on the ground that no more British forces will be withdrawn from the country before 2009.

Ministers have already admitted that plans to reduce the number of soldiers in Iraq have slipped.

The force was to have been cut from 4,100 to 2,500 by the end of April, but this will no longer happen.

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According to reports, Defence Secretary Des Browne is set to announce that although some troops will be coming home in May, having served their tour of duty, a similar number will be sent to Iraq to replace them.

Some units serving in Basra who had been promised they could leave early have been told they must serve the full length of their deployment.

A spokesman for Mr Browne said a force level review was under way and it was still hoped that the numbers in Iraq would come down slightly after May.

But she admitted: "It looks like it might take a bit longer than originally thought.

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"The original plans were made on the basis of advice given to us by our military commanders. They are saying the situation has changed and we follow their advice."

British troops pulled out of the city of Basra last September after handing over security to Iraqi forces. They are now holed up in Basra airport, where they are training Iraqi security forces.

A further review of troop numbers will take place by the end of the year, but few on the ground expect any significant reduction before 2009.

The British have promised help to the new Iraqi military commander of Basra in a major operation against Shia fighters, expected in the summer.

And they are also concerned about a sharp rise in the number of mortar and rocket attacks.

A total of 175 British soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq in the five years since the U.S.-led invasion to drive out Saddam Hussein's regime.

Any delay in bringing troops home will exacerbate concerns that British forces, who are serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan, are overstretched.

Last November a line-up of five former army chiefs savaged Gordon Brown for a 'desperate' funding shortfall which is putting servicemen's lives at risk.

Admiral Lord Boyce, former chief of the defence staff, said: "We are seriously endangering our people because of the lack of money being given to equip, train and properly support those in the second line preparing to rotate to the front line."

Last night the Ministry of Defence said it was still the intention to reduce numbers, although this would depend on the advice of local commanders.

"Since the handover of Basra Palace in September, the security situation has been relatively calm and the Iraqi security forces are becoming increasingly effective," a spokesman said.

"In keeping with the Prime Minister's statement made in October, we intend to reduce troop numbers in Iraq over the coming months.

"Force levels are under constant review and future decisions will be made on the advice of military commanders, based on conditions on the ground."