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Afghan deployment to be outlined | Afghan deployment to be outlined |
(40 minutes later) | |
The deployment of about 1,000 extra UK troops to Afghanistan is due to be confirmed later. | The deployment of about 1,000 extra UK troops to Afghanistan is due to be confirmed later. |
The details of the deployment are expected to come in a Commons statement from Defence Secretary Des Browne. | The details of the deployment are expected to come in a Commons statement from Defence Secretary Des Browne. |
Most are likely to be sent to the volatile province of Helmand, where UK forces have been fighting the Taleban. | Most are likely to be sent to the volatile province of Helmand, where UK forces have been fighting the Taleban. |
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said reinforcements were needed because it was a "difficult and complex area", where UK forces faced hostile action. | Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said reinforcements were needed because it was a "difficult and complex area", where UK forces faced hostile action. |
The Taleban wanted to create a "medieval theocracy", he told ITV1's Sunday Edition. | The Taleban wanted to create a "medieval theocracy", he told ITV1's Sunday Edition. |
Spring offensive | |
Mr Ingram said: "We face quite hostile action there and that is why we have to bolster our strength there." | Mr Ingram said: "We face quite hostile action there and that is why we have to bolster our strength there." |
There are currently 5,600 British troops in Afghanistan, mostly in Helmand. | There are currently 5,600 British troops in Afghanistan, mostly in Helmand. |
Nato commanders have said they need more soldiers to tackle an expected spring offensive by the Taleban. | Nato commanders have said they need more soldiers to tackle an expected spring offensive by the Taleban. |
The announcement of the extra UK deployment comes days after Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country's military presence in Iraq was being reduced by 1,600 personnel. | The announcement of the extra UK deployment comes days after Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country's military presence in Iraq was being reduced by 1,600 personnel. |
'Winnable' battle | 'Winnable' battle |
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who has called for UK soldiers to be out of Iraq by October, backed the plans to bolster Afghanistan forces. | Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who has called for UK soldiers to be out of Iraq by October, backed the plans to bolster Afghanistan forces. |
He told the BBC: "I think [the military campaign] is winnable - that's the judgement of the senior commanders. | He told the BBC: "I think [the military campaign] is winnable - that's the judgement of the senior commanders. |
"There is no doubt that this is in a different category altogether from Iraq and it is somewhere where we should be putting resources to bring about, as far as we can, a successful conclusion." | "There is no doubt that this is in a different category altogether from Iraq and it is somewhere where we should be putting resources to bring about, as far as we can, a successful conclusion." |
The Tories have said the new Afghan deployment shows UK forces are too "overstretched" to carry out duties in both there and in Iraq. | The Tories have said the new Afghan deployment shows UK forces are too "overstretched" to carry out duties in both there and in Iraq. |
Manpower revamp | Manpower revamp |
The UK 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. | The UK 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. |
The 1,300 troops currently in Kabul will come out of that region shortly. | The 1,300 troops currently in Kabul will come out of that region shortly. |
The majority of those will go south to Helmand, except for about 400 who will leave Afghanistan. | The majority of those will go south to Helmand, except for about 400 who will leave Afghanistan. |
The remaining 5,200 troops in the country will be bolstered by the expected extra 1,000 troops, making the UK force in Afghanistan 6,200-strong. | The remaining 5,200 troops in the country will be bolstered by the expected extra 1,000 troops, making the UK force in Afghanistan 6,200-strong. |