TIMELINE - Britain starts to withdraw from Iraq

Here is a timeline of Britain's contribution to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq:

March 20, 2003 - U.S. and British forces invade from Kuwait. British Marines lead an amphibious assault on the Al Faw peninsula.

March 21 - Eight Britons from 3 Commando Brigade are killed when a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashes south of the Kuwait border. Four U.S. aircrew are also killed.

March 22 - Six British servicemen from 849 Squadron die after two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collide over the northern Arabian Gulf.

Apr. 6 - British forces enter Basra.

-- During March and April 2003 there were 46,000 British troops, including those stationed outside of Iraq in support of the operation. By the end of May 2003 this was down to 18,000.

June 24 - Six British military police are killed in an incident near the city of Amara, 200 km from Basra.

July 17 - British weapons expert David Kelly commits suicide after being identified as the source of a BBC story alleging the government had "sexed-up" intelligence on Iraq's banned weapons.

Jan. 28, 2004 - Inquiry into Kelly's death exonerates Prime Minister Tony Blair's government of deliberately distorting intelligence to justify war. Weeks of public testimony raise questions about how Blair's acolytes acted in run-up to war.

Dec. 4 - Britain's Black Watch regiment returns to its base in Basra after a month-long mission to the violent area dubbed the "Triangle of Death. The 850 troops stood in for U.S. troops who were taking part in the storming of rebel-held Falluja. Five of its solders were killed in the operation.

June 30, 2005 - A British Royal Air Force C130 Hercules transport plane crashes in Iraq. Ten servicemen are killed, nine from the Royal Air Force and one from the Army.

Dec. 16, 2007 - Britain hands over security of Basra province to Iraqi forces, the last of four provinces it once patrolled, effectively marking the end of nearly five years of British control of southern Iraq.

Jan. 1, 2009 - Britain formally hands over responsibility for the running of Basra airport to Iraqi authorities. Following the transfer of authority, Iraqi civilians are in overall charge of the installation, overseeing both civilian and military operations.

Feb. 12 - The latest British soldier is killed in Basra -- 179 British armed forces personnel or MOD civilians have died so far whilst serving in the operation.

March 25 - Britain confirms it will hold an inquiry into the Iraq war once all its troops have returned at the end of July