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23/06/2011
UK Welcomes US Troop Reduction In Afghanistan
The British Prime Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff have both welcomed the announcement that the US will be withdrawing 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year.
US President Barack Obama announced last night that 10,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by the end of September 2012. There are currently around 90,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said in response to the US announcement: "I have spoken with President Obama and welcome his announcement to draw down the US troop surge from Afghanistan.
"The surge by the US and international partners, supported by an increase in the number of Afghan Army and Police, has reversed the momentum of the insurgency and created the right conditions for security responsibility to begin to transfer to the Afghans from July.
"We will keep UK force levels in Afghanistan under constant review. I have already said there will be no UK troops in combat roles in Afghanistan by 2015 and, where conditions on the ground allow, it is right that we bring troops home sooner.
"We remain side by side with Afghanistan and our international partners to achieve a military and political solution in Afghanistan that will allow the Afghan people to take full responsibility for their own sovereignty and national security."
UK Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, said: "I welcome President Obama's statement which has been made possible by the surge of US and ISAF forces, coupled with the ever-growing numbers and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces.
"Across the country, the insurgency is under real and sustained pressure. Their momentum has been halted and in some areas reversed. This summer will see the continuation of this process with Afghan forces beginning to take the lead for security in a number of areas, including Lashkar Gah, the headquarters for British forces.
"The Afghan Army and Police are increasingly able to plan, direct and execute operations to provide security for their own people. But our collective military efforts need to continue until Afghan security forces are able to assume responsibility for security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
"The Prime Minister has said we will not have combat forces in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. It is right at this time to recognise the tremendous efforts the American military has made and continues to make in Afghanistan, both in the performance of its forces and the leadership it provides."
(BMcN)
US President Barack Obama announced last night that 10,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by the end of September 2012. There are currently around 90,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said in response to the US announcement: "I have spoken with President Obama and welcome his announcement to draw down the US troop surge from Afghanistan.
"The surge by the US and international partners, supported by an increase in the number of Afghan Army and Police, has reversed the momentum of the insurgency and created the right conditions for security responsibility to begin to transfer to the Afghans from July.
"We will keep UK force levels in Afghanistan under constant review. I have already said there will be no UK troops in combat roles in Afghanistan by 2015 and, where conditions on the ground allow, it is right that we bring troops home sooner.
"We remain side by side with Afghanistan and our international partners to achieve a military and political solution in Afghanistan that will allow the Afghan people to take full responsibility for their own sovereignty and national security."
UK Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, said: "I welcome President Obama's statement which has been made possible by the surge of US and ISAF forces, coupled with the ever-growing numbers and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces.
"Across the country, the insurgency is under real and sustained pressure. Their momentum has been halted and in some areas reversed. This summer will see the continuation of this process with Afghan forces beginning to take the lead for security in a number of areas, including Lashkar Gah, the headquarters for British forces.
"The Afghan Army and Police are increasingly able to plan, direct and execute operations to provide security for their own people. But our collective military efforts need to continue until Afghan security forces are able to assume responsibility for security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
"The Prime Minister has said we will not have combat forces in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. It is right at this time to recognise the tremendous efforts the American military has made and continues to make in Afghanistan, both in the performance of its forces and the leadership it provides."
(BMcN)
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06 July 2011
PM Announces UK Troop Withdrawals From Afghanistan
The UK will be able to reduce its force levels in Afghanistan from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron announced today. This follows the withdrawal of 426 UK military personnel by February 2012 that has already been announced.
PM Announces UK Troop Withdrawals From Afghanistan
The UK will be able to reduce its force levels in Afghanistan from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron announced today. This follows the withdrawal of 426 UK military personnel by February 2012 that has already been announced.
11 October 2010
Tragedy As Afghanistan Command Changes
As news of the latest fatality in the troubled country emerged last Friday, the overall command in Afghanistan has changed. Task Force Helmand is now under the control of a new Army brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade, which formally took over as the lead formation from 4th Mechanized Brigade.
Tragedy As Afghanistan Command Changes
As news of the latest fatality in the troubled country emerged last Friday, the overall command in Afghanistan has changed. Task Force Helmand is now under the control of a new Army brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade, which formally took over as the lead formation from 4th Mechanized Brigade.
14 August 2009
More Troops Killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have died in an explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. These latest deaths bring the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since operations began to just one short of 200 fatalities.
More Troops Killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have died in an explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. These latest deaths bring the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since operations began to just one short of 200 fatalities.
28 May 2009
Soldier Dies In Southern Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The serviceman from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment was on an operation near Garmsir in Helmand Province, and next of kin have been informed.
Soldier Dies In Southern Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The serviceman from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment was on an operation near Garmsir in Helmand Province, and next of kin have been informed.
25 August 2004
UK to deploy troops and aircraft to Afghanistan
The UK is deploying ground attack aircraft to Afghanistan for the first time in the current campaign, it has been announced today. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said that the RAF will deploy six RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft under coalition control to Kandahar, Afghanistan, for an initial period of nine months.
UK to deploy troops and aircraft to Afghanistan
The UK is deploying ground attack aircraft to Afghanistan for the first time in the current campaign, it has been announced today. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said that the RAF will deploy six RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft under coalition control to Kandahar, Afghanistan, for an initial period of nine months.
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