BRITAIN: Britain's Prince Harry, who is third in line to the throne after his father Prince Charles and elder brother Prince William, is being deployed to Iraq where he will become the first British royal to serve in a war zone for 25 years.
A British defence ministry spokesman said yesterday the prince would be sent to Iraq with his A Squadron of the Blues and Royals regiment "over the next few months" as part of the latest British troop rotation.
But the deployment of the younger son of the late Princess Diana may be a major security headache for military commanders as the prince could be a target for insurgents and a magnet for suicide bombers.
"This is like President Bush sending a son to the frontline. The decision is both dangerous and courageous at the same time," said one commentator. "It is a success for Harry, but he has become the number one target for insurgents."
Prince Harry could be the first member of the royal family to face combat since his uncle Prince Andrew flew helicopters in the 1982 Falklands War. His great-grandfather, King George VI, saw action in the first World War. The announcement came a day after Britain said it would be withdrawing almost one-quarter of its 7,100 troops from Iraq in the coming months.
Prince Harry's regiment will leave for Iraq in May or June and could serve up to seven months there, defence secretary Des Browne said. The 22-year-old prince, who has the rank of cornet (second lieutenant), had reportedly threatened to quit the army if not allowed to serve on the frontline. He has always said he wanted to put his training into practice.
"There is no way I am going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," he said on his 21st birthday. "That may sound very patriotic, but it's true."