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Britain’s "Operation Banner" In N Ireland Ends After 38 Years

30 July 2007 13:09 (UTC +04:00)

The British Army’s longest military campaign in its history will come to an end Midnight on Tuesday without any fanfare for the passing of Operation Banner, APA reports.
August 1 marks the beginning of a new era for the British armed forces in Northern Ireland when the military will become very much part of the community as with other parts of the country.
British troops were sent initially as peacekeepers to Northern Ireland in 1969 following violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants. But when the Provisional IRA began its bombing campaign the Army was increasingly targeted.
Now, after 38 years of dedicated service, with more than 300,000 military personnel serving there and 763 killed as a direct result of terrorism, the curtain will finally come down. A service of remembrance for the soldiers who have died in the operation took place at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
A garrison of 5,000 soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland will remain, but no longer as part of the security forces./APA/