Britain on Tuesday postponed a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq following a surge in militia violence, promising to consult the US before renewing its proposal to bring home around 1,500 personnel.
Defense Secretary Des Browne said military commanders have delayed a plan to reduce British troop numbers from 4,000 to 2,500 over the next few months, which was outlined by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown late last year.
"It is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding," Browne told the House of Commons.
The decision follows a surge in violence that has swept Baghdad; the southern city of Basra, where British troops are based; and other Shiite areas after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki launched a crackdown against Shiite militias.
Street battles have left more than 200 dead, including civilians, Iraqi troops and militants. British troops have been forced back into a combat role for the first time since last year.
US forces have launched airstrikes in Basra and the British army joined in the fighting for the first time on Saturday, firing artillery to support an operation by Iraqi soldiers.
Browne said British troops used tanks and armored vehicles to provide support to Iraqi personnel.
Pilots have also carried out jet missions over Basra in a so-called show of force and used helicopters to deliver supplies to Iraqi security forces, Browne said.
Militant followers of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have been battling Iraqi and coalition forces in Basra -- Iraq's oil hub -- since Feb. 25.
Britain's troops are stationed at an air base on the fringe of Basra after they withdrew from their last base in the city center in September.
"At this stage we intend to keep our forces at their current levels of around 4,000 as we work with our coalition partners and with the Iraqis to assess future requirements," Browne said.
He gave no timetable to reduce British troop numbers in the future, but said he would update lawmakers later this month.
Decisions will be taken following talks with Iraqi, US and other coalition officials, Browne said.
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