Siege of U.K. Bases in Basra - Aftermath

Aftermath

Following the withdrawal the U.K. was heavily criticized for pulling back from the city, mostly by the U.S. military. Formally the cities control was handed over to Iraqi security forces, but the control of the city was in the hands of radical militias. They led a turf war in the coming months over control of the city and up to 100 people, mostly civilians, were being reported killed each month. A black market monopoly formed over the oil exports from the city.

By the end of March 2008, the situation in the city was so out of hand that it led to an Iraqi troop surge into the city which led to major fighting with the militias.