Soliders are under fire but doing Cheshire proud (From Warrington Guardian)

Soliders are under fire but doing Cheshire proud

SOLDIERS from South Cheshire have been coming under fire in war-torn Iraq as they attempt to keep the peace in readiness for the handover of power next week.

The Cheshire Regiment is now two months into its six-month tour of duty in Basra, Iraq's second city.

Lieut Col Jonathon Donelly, the battalion's commanding officer, said: "The soldiers of the regiment have been working extremely hard in what is a difficult environment, owing both to the prevailing climatic conditions and the fragile security situation.

"In all things they have shown the utmost professionalism, compassion and restraint.

"The regiment continues to work towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for the people of Basra by carrying out operations to deter terrorism and criminal acts.

"Unfortunately there are elements who do not wish the situation to improve and a number of our patrols and bases have come under attack from these groups."

Lieut Col Donelly pinpointed the armed uprising on May 8 as the most difficult situation his men have had to deal with.

He added: "On that day a sizable number of militia, loyal to the cleric Moqtada al Sadr, attempted to destabilise the situation within the city.

"For most of the morning and early afternoon the soldiers of the Cheshire Regiment were involved in violent clashes with the militia.

"In a situation which had the capacity to escalate dramatically, the controlled application of force and the restraint and steadiness shown by our soldiers returned the city to a state of watchful peace by mid-afternoon.

"By the next day Basra had resumed its normal way of life.

"Throughout the day and for the whole time we have been in Basra, the dedication, alacrity and professionalism of our soldiers was a credit to both the Regiment and the county."

The Cheshires will be in Iraq until November and have been working closely with the Iraqi Police Service in the lead-up to the handover of authority to a sovereign Iraqi government next week.