Unionist politicians have condemned as an act of folly and a sop to the IRA a decision to close the British army base in Clogher, Co Tyrone, while nationalists have welcomed the move.
PSNI deputy chief constable Mr Paul Leighton announced the closure yesterday following consultation with British army chiefs in Northern Ireland.
"The closure, which is a measure to ensure that military resources are being used effectively and efficiently, will not affect the army's ability to support the police service when required. It is expected that the closure of Clogher base will take around six months to complete," the PSNI said in a statement.
Ulster Unionist MLA for the area Mr Tom Elliott said it was a huge mistake to leave the Border areas of Fermanagh and south Tyrone "so devoid of military presence".
"Police sources indicate that the level of threat in Fermanagh and south Tyrone remains relatively high. Whether that threat be from dissident or mainstream republican sources, it's an act of folly to lower our defences at this time," he added.
The DUP Assembly members for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Ms Arlene Foster and Mr Maurice Morrow, also deplored the announcement. Ms Foster said the government appeared "hell-bent on compromising this constituency's security".
Added Mr Morrow: "This closure is nothing short of a sop to Sinn Féin/IRA. Once again, the safety and security of the people of this part of the province is put lower down the pecking order than the appeasement of republicans.
"The Fermanagh and south Tyrone Border is a long and porous one. By abandoning strategically important bases like Clogher, the government are effectively ceding control of certain areas to the terrorists."
Sinn Féin constituency MP Ms Michelle Gildernew said the closure was long overdue. "Ten years after the first IRA ceasefire there are still twice as many British army soldiers here than there are in Iraq. This speaks volumes about the commitment of securocrats to the peace process," she said.
"A decade after the ceasefires and six years on from the signing of the Good Friday agreement it is totally unacceptable that there are still so many British army barracks and watchtowers, still far too much British army activity on the ground and in the air, and nationalists still having to live with British army harassment and interference."
The local SDLP Assembly member, Mr Tommy Gallagher, said the closure was a positive development, and said people would welcome "the removal of this extensive fortification".
