Do you think it's time for British troops to return home?
And have your opinions on the Iraq war changed over the past three years?
Below is a selection of the comments received so far:
The 800 men who are returning home at the end of April were due to end their tour anyway. My son-in-law is among them. I'm extremely proud of him in the job he is doing out there, and of my daughter for the unquestioning support she gives him and the sterling job she does as a wife and mother under very difficult circumstances. We all want him to come safely home. However, I don't believe our troops should ever have been there in the first place. My view is the same now as it was three years ago. We have been America's stooges and we should do ourselves a favour and bring everyone home now.
June Williams, Manchester UK
Unfortunately we cannot bring them home yet. I believe that the vacuum created would destabilise not just Iraq but also the whole region. Until Iraq can stand on its own feet, the multi national force will have to remain.
Should we have gone there in the first place? Well the reason that Prime Minister Blair sent the UK was WMD. Where are the WMD? was it worth the sacrifice of all those lives? This was not the Falklands, and there was no threat. My views have not changed,from before March 2003 and I have served there .. we should not have gone!
The programme was excellent, well presented, balanced and it also showed the professionallism of the UK Armed Forces,... sent to the governments bidding, right or wrong, they get on with a tough job.
Dave Curtis, Bristol,UK
Thanks Jane/Panorama for a professional journalist's film report on what is going on rather than nightly bites of gossip invented to match the prejudices of the news room - described in Kate Adie's book as "the view from London". Many US may not agree with Iraq but they all support magnificently their troops. BBC news at times seems to make our troop's job more dangerous.
Geoffrey, Cobham Surrey
I wonder if it might occur to you that perhaps if this latest Panorama drama-mocumentary had not been made, those two boys might still be alive. If you're going to make drama, perhaps you might do well researching the work of Robert Flaherty.
Rachel, Brighton
I think it is time for all occupying forces to return to their countries to face criminal charges for being party to an illegal invasion and occupation of a soveriegn nation in violation of all morally and socially decent ideals in the civilised world. The innocent people of Iraq have been slaughtered for nothing more than economic and political gain, and are infinitely worse off now than when under the rule of Saddam Hussein, who, in spite of his wrongs, did more to defend the sovereignty of his nation and the welfare of his people than any of the 'Coalition' have done at any time. Get them out now.
Simon Peck, Melbourne Australia
I currently serve in Iraq as an army officer and it is a truly horrid place. We are trying to change a culture that is not ready for change. Lets get our forces out now and stay out! Let the politicans come out here and live this life! This is now a political fight - do we need to lose any more lives? And what about reporting casualty rates instead of only fatalities? Every time I have been out of the camp, I have been pelted with rocks, bricks, shot at and spat at! And to top it off we have come under rocket attack every week - one will soon find its mark and cause serious mass casualties. Then there will be uproar!
Anon
This was one of the few informative and balanced programmes on Iraq in recent times. This is Panorama at it's best. It showed that despite everything we read in the press these days there is still appreciation by the majority of the people in Southern Iraq, that the British are there to help. What they now need is security, and if that's possible, a start to the huge reconstruction effort which is necessary. What they don't need is to be deserted by those who sought to improve things for the benefit of the Iraqi people.
George Hunter, Glasgow, Scotland
A well balanced and very informative programme Jane Corbin and her team did an excellent job in hazard conditions. The difficult condiitions in Basra and the country, with the conflicting groups and politics confirms the need for our troops to be there until the Iraqis can "Govern" themselves effectively.
william page, chesterfield gb
I just wanted to add that it was brilliant that Jane and the team provided and unbiased report on the situation. Recently media reports have been very anti army, but Panorama put the situation into perspective and did so well. We need more 'straight down the middle' reporting like this so that the public can see the real story!
Ria Fowler, London, UK
I served in Iraq as a Mobilised TA Soldier on OP Telic 5. Firstly, I would like to say that the programme last night was the first I have seen that seemed to support our troops out there and it gave people the opportunity to see the streeses and dangers that British Soldiers face on the ground, daily.
My role out there was to provide Close Protection to the CIMIC team based in Basrah who's responsibility was to help set up and guide the local Government, health and educations systems etc. I think that it would be a disaster for the UK to pull out forces now as this would seriously hinder the stability of the country. As for people that say we are acheiving nothing out there, we are, I saw it and was able to listen to the praise from a large number of Iraqi's for the help we were providing.
I feel that the media need to start focusing on the positive side of what the UK are doing out there and stop making our boys feel like they are doing something wrong!
Tom Kent, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
We do think its time to pull our troops from Iraq, we have a son out in Iraq. Its a war that we should not have got involved in, I cannot understand for the life of me why our govenment are not doing enything to pull our young men and women from Iraq. Our forces are achieving nothing out there, so its about time they came home. So we say pull them out and let them get on with it.
Stephen Armstrong , walsall, england
Two weeks ago I returned from a tour of duty in Baghdad. I think it would be a huge mistake to withdraw our troops now. The Iraqis will need our support for some time to come. If we withdraw our troops now I feel it will only leave devastation behind. I hope we will finish the job we have set out to do. Bring our boys AND girls back when we have done our job properly!!
Flight Lieutenant Anne Willgoose, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
I see little difference between the military strategy we now employ in Iraq and another middle eastern conflict we found ourselves back in 1967 i.e. Aden - We believed then the answer was to set up the Federation of Saudi Arabia and train the Adenies army and police (who incidently had already massacred some 23 Fusiliers from the 1st Bn) to police the country after withdrawal. Of course, within weeks of pulling out, the federation collapsed, civil war ensued and those British sqaddies killed, died for nothing for our enemies prevailed and I believe remain in government today. There are too many similarities now. So yes we should cut our losses and withdraw the troops.
Steve Hennah, Northampton. England
Our boys should never have taken part in Iraqs war.It is totally unjustified.Our son was there and took part in operation telic 3,when he was shot and wounded.The after effects have left him with severe Post Tramatic Stress and with NO support or after care from the army
ian,
Tonight's programme provided a well-balanced snapshot of an extremely complex situation in Iraq. Democracy and Liberty have never, in the history of Humanity, been achieved by a nation state without bloodshed or struggle. At least in the 21st century international coalitions are trying to support in the best way possible. 103 plus UK lives is a small cost to pay for a free Iraq regardless of how long it may take to achieve.
Paul, Wiltshire, England
As a soldier involved in the post war operations of the first gulf war, I understand the huge difficulties that our forces are continually experiencing in trying to secure peace in Iraq. The task seems impossible when confronted with such chaotic scenes of death and destruction, when so many men, women and children have tragically lost their lives. Yet at this time when our forces are counted amongst the dead and injured, I do not believe it is right to pull out knowing that the majority of innocent Iraqis would be left totally exposed to the merciless actions of those groups and individuals who are responsible for inflicting so much pain and suffering. This war is shrouded in controversy and anguish, but we as a nation must remain steadfast in protecting the innocent and the vulnerable, because these people are the future for a peaceful and stable Iraq.
L Gallantree, Forres, Moray.
Iraq - a mess, Now 3500 troops to Afghanistan with no clear endstate or mission. Where does this all end.
Craig, England
The tragedy of the Iraq war is more than anything the tragedy of the Iraqi people. Saddam hussein reigned in power due to the connivance of the West who implanted him there in the first place. The same west that also sold arms and chemical weapons to both Iraq under Saddam Hussein and also to Iran and planned the Iran -Iraq war to follow. The same west that told Saddam to invade Kuwait. Thereafter the same west that starved half a million children under sanctions against iraq's weapons that came from the west. And now three full years of war, at least `135000 innocent Iraqi's killed, the educated doctors teachers and professionals of iraq killed,many by private mercanary firms making their profits by destroying people, lives and cultures, the destruction of Iraqs cultural identity...Artifacts that are 3000 years old stolen from Iraq which end up in the west, and the destruction of Mosques which are sacred to millions of muslims worldwide. That the bbc Panorama should now argue that Iraq now needs the west to stay and prevent civil war beggers belief.
Anonymous, Scotland - Edinburgh
I think the programme was a fair representation of what is going on out there and attitudes towards us, however I wish people would admit that the problems over there will not be solved anytime soon, or that we are making a huge difference. We are not. I served in Iraq fairly recently and was responsible for training many Iraqi Policemen. However, most, say 75%, were not interested and were believed to be corrupt. I agree with one view on the programme and think it will take a generation to change attitudes, if ever. We will still be there in 10 yrs, of that I have no doubt. Look at Bosnia, hardly ever in the news these days, but still we are there.
Craig Palmer, Staffordshire, Stafford
 |  The British are currently tolerated but are in no sense in control. |
The programme gave a lucid, if understated, account of the chaos prevailing in occupied Iraq. The coalition ultimately intends to hand the country back to the Iraqi people to be governed democratically. Meanwhile the leaders of the different tribal and religious factions are merely marking time until the coast is clear for them to rise up unopposed and impose their will on their compatriots. They know that eventually the coalition forces, whom they regard as irrelevant interlopers, will grow weary of their Sisyphean task, will declare a democracy whilst anarchy still prevails, and leave. Then the war can really begin.
Mr M Halldearn, Manchester
My brother is currently serving in Iraq and so this programme was an invaluable insight into what his daily life must be like. My heart goes out to the families of the the brave soldiers killed. I can only hope that never happens to my family. I hope all our boys get home soon but for as long as they are there they need our support and love. God bless them all!
Tamara, Chester-Le-Street
Having talked to a kurd, I was told that at least during the rule of Sadaam, the Sunnies and Shias got along and lived as neighbours peacefully, so who has ruined this relationship? Are western nations capable of resolving disputes such as are in Iraq or are they in there for ulterior motives? Perhaps leaders like Musharaff and Manmohan Singh could be asked to resolve the mess created by allied forces/governments?
Mrs.D. Patel, Manchester
The most interesting part was the interview with the Marsh Arab leader. He made it clear that the British presence is only marginal to what is going on in the area, which in practice is being run by local politicians. The British are currently tolerated but are in no sense in control. The police forces they are training are in reality branches of the various factions - if one day they bring 'order' to Iraq, it will be the sort of order Saddam practiced. The poor soldiers seemed to have no idea what was going on, or if they did they pretended not to.
John, London
The comment from the UK police officer of 30 years to achieve "real change" is so true in the Iraqi culture of local tribal loyalties & religious affiliations. Our troops have been thrust into the eye of what is now a cultural & political storm for factional control upon which their undoubted professional military skills will be disipated. Its our politicians who should currently be more active & not leave the UK military to solve the issue of a steady withdrawl.
Paul Chapman, Clanfield Oxon England
The public forget about the squaddies. They dont know or understand what they go through on there tours of duty. The public only know we should not be there. We ARE there. The boys are doing their jobs in tough conditions, the threat of death or being maimed always in the background. I was there in 2004. The Army will stay until the job is done, and it will be done to the best of their abilities, no matter what the circumstances.
Tim , London
Our troops have been put in a desperate predicament with no clear political direction. Blair took this country into an unnecessary war with no clear plan on what to do in the aftermath of the main military action. As a result the situation is as confused as it could ever be. Our troops should not have been there in the first place and as is usual, have been left to pick up the pieces and clear-up the mess incompetent politicians have created.
John Clark, Grantham, England
I'm probably one of the few whom was against the conflict but over the past year or so I honestly think that this prehaps was the correct thing to do! Yes Iraq has its problems, but the work of the British Troops in the south will hopefully see the situation settle! Seemingly the Iraqi's want the British to stay and many are thankful for their increased freedom! If British troops were to leave, I very much doubt the situation would improve! So no British troops should stay and allow Iraq to have the future they deserve!
Ben Cooper, Plymouth
i think that it is extremely sad and unjust that SO many people have died fighting in Iraq, but if our troops were to come home now and pull out of Iraq then surely those men and women have died in vein?
jessica, derby, england
Excellent program. A fantastic look at the increadibly difficult situation for forces in Iraq. Now you need to look at the same mistakes we are about to make with the deployment of forces in Afghanistan - are we just diverting public attention with smoke and mirrors?
Anthony, buckfastly, England
Whatever the intensions of tonight's film it came across as essentially a de-contextualised party political broadcast for the occupation. Anyone would think we went to Iraq to help these people rather tailing the Americans in their quest to install a more compliant government. Why no talk of creating jobs with over 80% unemployment, or is that the only way they can get people to join the Iraqi army and police? In the south it will be Shia militias in control if �we� stay and Shia militias in control if �we� go, perhaps with different uniforms, so how many more soldiers have to die and what price saving the face of morally bankrupt Labour government?
Dave Radford, Oxford
Pulling out now will only serve extremist groups and will harm Iraq's future, the likely scenario will be another Afghanistan for Iraqi people. However, reactive response by British troops will not serve the purpose of being their, which is to stabilise Iraqi situation. Lets be more pragmatic about Iraqi situation, lets build another scenario that undoubtedly leads to giving people real power. By having three Federal states that will give people their choice of governing style.
H Marph, London
I think regardless of the initial views of the war, we should support our troops who are a credit to our nation; and the focal point of our pride. We now owe the Iraqi people a stable and suportive nation; one that we are now obliged to provide!
Josh Gorst, Chester, England
I do belive that our troops should remain in Iraq until they are able to stand on there own two feet, we must show to the world that we the british are the model of western nations and perhaps liberators. if we are to leave now and leave a nation on its knees which we have in some what ways created via War will just create hate amoung nations who may already dislike us for going to war in the first place.
Ben, England
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