Thai troops in Iraq have been ordered to halt all activities outside the Lima Camp, following disturbances in the southern Iraqi town of Karbala, head of the Directorate of Joint Civil Affairs revealed.

Lt. Gen. Pitsanu Urailert was quoted Sunday by the Thai News Agency as saying that recent violence in Karbala had prompted the ban on army engineers and medics of Thailand's 976 task force from undertaking any work outside the camp until further notice.

Nonetheless, 100-200 Iraqis were still flocking to the camp each day to use the services of the Thai medical team.

"As far as we know, there are still attacks on international troops in Karbala, with no regard for nationality. However, there are no Thai soldiers in this area, as we are around 10 kilometers outside Karbala, and so are relatively safe. Nonetheless, we don't want to take chances, and so have instituted additional security measures," Lt. Gen. Pitsanu said.

Amid growing concern for the safety of Thailand's troops in Iraq, Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said that he would allow the troops to withdraw at their discretion.

Lt. Gen. Pitsanu admitted that if the situation deteriorated further, withdrawal would be on the cards.

The army now had several plans, including the temporary withdrawal to Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia, he said, adding that the troops would continue to monitor the situation before reaching any decision.

Source: Xinhua