They put their lives at risk to serve us. Now they're being left behind

Iraq's deputy Foreign Minister has accused Britain of shirking its responsibilities. Amid a growing controversy, the UK government is refusing to consider more than a handful of Iraqis for asylum who have worked for British forces in southern Iraq. The UK stands accused of being willing to leave them to their fate as it prepares to pull out of Iraq.

Gordon Brown last week ordered a review following an outcry over the disclosure that 91 Iraqi interpreters and their families had been told they would not receive political asylum when British forces withdrew. The Defence Secretary, Des Browne, said that up to 20,000 Iraqis had worked for the British since the 2003 invasion, and implied that allowing them all to seek asylum would be impracticable. But if the offer was confined to those still employed, it was reported that the figure would be far more manageable: around 600. Denmark, which had troops under British command in southern Iraq, airlifted interpreters and their families – a total of 200 people – out of the country when its soldiers withdrew last month.

The safety of those who will be left behind is now an urgent issue, as the loss of four British soldiers in Basra in the past week has led senior military figures to question whether the mission is serving any purpose.

General Sir Michael Rose, former chief of the SAS and commander of UN forces in Bosnia, told The Independent on Sunday: "We have not enough troops there to make any impact. We have to decide whether the risks and the losses we are suffering are worth it."

The Iraqi minister, Dr Mohammad al-Haj Hamoud, told the IoS: "We are talking about people who volunteered to be translators for the British Army, for low pay and at great risk to their personal safety. Now their lives are in danger. The British have a humanitarian and moral obligation to do something."

Dr Hamoud demanded urgent action on what he called "a humanitarian crisis". The minister said: "They are deserving of asylum in Britain. If they stay in Iraq they will be killed. The security situation is getting worse, and they cannot be protected." He added. "They won't even tell us how many people might be at risk, or how many might have already been killed."

Losses among British troops in southern Iraq have accelerated as the force has dwindled. The deaths around Basra last week of Lance Sergeant Chris Casey, Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard and Private Craig Barber brought the number killed on operational duty since hostilities began in 2003 to 168. But so far this year, 41 servicemen and women have died, compared to 29 in the whole of 2006.

At the beginning of the year, Britain had just over 7,000 troops in two provinces in south-east Iraq. Now, following the handover of security in Maysan province and bases in Basra city to the Iraqis, the remaining force of 5,500 is confined to just two: the contingency operating base at Basra airport and a battle group of 500 at Basra Palace, which is to all intents and purposes under siege. The British contingent is expected to decline to 5,000 once Basra Palace is turned over to Iraqi forces this summer, leaving the airport base, increasingly under attack, as the only British outpost in Iraq.

Sir Michael said the stated aims of the occupation – to establish good governance and security, and to carry out reconstruction – were not being met, and British troops should leave following a careful assessment of the situation. He said of Iraqis who had worked for the British: "We have got to look after the people who looked after us."

Major-General Julian Thompson, a Falklands veteran, said he had thought for "some time" that Britain should quit Iraq. "The question is how." The dangers for British troops could increase once a pullout date was announced, he said. "We may have to consider some kind of fighting withdrawal. As we announce that we are starting to leave, the pressure will get worse."

Both generals took part in the withdrawal of British troops from Aden in 1967. "Basically we handed over to two competing militias, just as we will be doing in Basra," said Sir Michael. As far as he knew, said Maj-Gen Thompson, local people who had worked for the British forces were left, "but public opinion would not allow that now".

Several Basra interpreters interviewed by the IoS said they knew others who had been murdered. One said two friends were killed three months ago. "Militias came for them at their houses and shot them. I've also had threats, but my mother is sick, and I need the money."

Despite wearing a headscarf over his face while on patrol, he said militia groups would work out who he was. "It's not possible to keep your identity a secret for ever. It's all a matter of time. I talked about it to my lieutenant, and he said: 'Once you leave this base you've got to take care of yourself, because we can't'."

The death toll accelerates

Private Craig Barber

Hit by a shot through the hatch of the Warrior he was driving in Basra on Monday. The 20-year-old, from Ogmore Vale, Mid Glamorgan, was in the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh, and was to celebrate his first wedding anniversary this month. "A family man who decorated his bed space with pictures of his wife and boy," said 2nd Lieutenant Olly Pope, his commander.

Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath

On lookout in a convoy lead vehicle near Basra on Thursday when a roadside bomb detonated, killing him instantly. The 22-year-old, of Romford, Essex, was in the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards and just a week from returning home. "An outstanding musician and a very professional soldier," said Lieutenant-Colonel Michael O'Dwyer, his commanding officer.

Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard

Killed by small-arms fire on foot patrol in Basra on Tuesday. The 20-year-old was with 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment, and was to marry his fiancée on his return home. "Strong, fit and an exceptionally gifted infantryman, he had already set his sights on selection for Special Forces," said Squadron-Leader Jason Sutton, his commander.

Private Tony Rawson

Killed in a fire fight with the Taliban during a patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan on Friday morning, the 27-year-old, from Dagenham, Essex, was with the Ist Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment (known as Vikings) and was expecting his first child with his fiancée. "He was a true Viking who we will never forget," said his commander, Lt-Col Stuart Carver.

Further reading: 'Washington's War: From Independence to Iraq' by General Sir Michael Rose (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £14.99)

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