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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| More UK troops for Afghanistan | More UK troops for Afghanistan |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The government is set to announce that more British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, the BBC has learned. | The government is set to announce that more British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, the BBC has learned. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to give details to the House of Commons on Monday of the substantial new deployment. | Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to give details to the House of Commons on Monday of the substantial new deployment. |
| The UK has been reluctant to send more soldiers to the country, having reinforced several times already. | The UK has been reluctant to send more soldiers to the country, having reinforced several times already. |
| But troop withdrawal from Iraq means more personnel are available to join the 5,000-strong force in Afghanistan. | But troop withdrawal from Iraq means more personnel are available to join the 5,000-strong force in Afghanistan. |
| Britain has recently revamped its operations in Afghanistan to put most manpower into Helmand province in the south, where the fighting is at its most fierce. | Britain has recently revamped its operations in Afghanistan to put most manpower into Helmand province in the south, where the fighting is at its most fierce. |
| Nato and British commanders have said for some time that more resources are needed if the Taleban are to be defeated. | Nato and British commanders have said for some time that more resources are needed if the Taleban are to be defeated. |
| But until now the government has argued that countries like France and Germany should contribute more. | But until now the government has argued that countries like France and Germany should contribute more. |
| According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, Mr Browne will announce an extra 1,000 troops, but that figure has not been confirmed. | According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, Mr Browne will announce an extra 1,000 troops, but that figure has not been confirmed. |
| Thomas Withington, from the Centre for Defence Studies, explained why such a deployment was necessary. | |
| "We're seeing some fairly steady increases but I think it also reflects on the fact that particularly the South-West of Afghanistan, where most of the heaviest fighting seems to be concentrated, is proving to be a stubborn nut to crack, " he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | |
| "And I think many answers lie in deploying more troops and having more equipment on the ground but they also lie in securing the border areas. | |
| "And I think what really is required is a two-pronged strategy, to ensure those two things can become a reality." |