This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk-news/2013/jul/28/british-troops-mission-taliban-sangin
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| British troops carry out secret mission against Taliban in Sangin | British troops carry out secret mission against Taliban in Sangin |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| British troops have carried out a major operation in Afghanistan in an area which has seen some of the fiercest battles of the war, the Ministry of Defence has said. | British troops have carried out a major operation in Afghanistan in an area which has seen some of the fiercest battles of the war, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| About 80 British soldiers travelled to Sangin to fight Taliban insurgents with the Afghan National Army (ANA), just months before it takes full control of security in the country. | About 80 British soldiers travelled to Sangin to fight Taliban insurgents with the Afghan National Army (ANA), just months before it takes full control of security in the country. |
| The latest mission, which was kept secret until after it was completed earlier this week, required the special permission of the defence secretary, Philip Hammond, because of a government push to transfer combat operations to the ANA, the Sunday Times reported. | The latest mission, which was kept secret until after it was completed earlier this week, required the special permission of the defence secretary, Philip Hammond, because of a government push to transfer combat operations to the ANA, the Sunday Times reported. |
| In recent months, British armed forces have instead been focusing on mentoring the ANA in preparation for their withdrawal from the country next year. | In recent months, British armed forces have instead been focusing on mentoring the ANA in preparation for their withdrawal from the country next year. |
| The MoD said specialist advisers from the Brigade Advisory Group, made up of the 4th Battalion The Rifles, provided support to the UK-mentored 3/215 Brigade for the eight-day mission. | The MoD said specialist advisers from the Brigade Advisory Group, made up of the 4th Battalion The Rifles, provided support to the UK-mentored 3/215 Brigade for the eight-day mission. |
| It said the involvement of British troops was "in line" with their current advisory role. "In support of the Afghan forces who now have the security lead across the country, UK personnel do on occasion operate outside the usual UK area of operations in central Helmand in an advisory capacity," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. | It said the involvement of British troops was "in line" with their current advisory role. "In support of the Afghan forces who now have the security lead across the country, UK personnel do on occasion operate outside the usual UK area of operations in central Helmand in an advisory capacity," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. |
| "These out-of-area operations have been a long-standing element of the UK mission in Afghanistan and are completely in line with our current role of providing training, advice and assistance to the Afghan National Security Forces." | "These out-of-area operations have been a long-standing element of the UK mission in Afghanistan and are completely in line with our current role of providing training, advice and assistance to the Afghan National Security Forces." |
| The statement added that Sangin "remains a challenging area" and it is now for the Afghan forces to deal with insurgents. | The statement added that Sangin "remains a challenging area" and it is now for the Afghan forces to deal with insurgents. |
| During the operation, a number of insurgents were detained and killed, more than 30 improvised explosive devices were found and destroyed and two vehicles were seized along with ammunition and weapons. | During the operation, a number of insurgents were detained and killed, more than 30 improvised explosive devices were found and destroyed and two vehicles were seized along with ammunition and weapons. |
| There were no British casualties but a number of ANA soldiers were killed, the Sunday Times added. | There were no British casualties but a number of ANA soldiers were killed, the Sunday Times added. |
| Speaking after the operation, Brigadier Rupert Jones, Commander Task Force Helmand, said: "It has been a very impressive demonstration of what the Afghan National Army can be capable of." | Speaking after the operation, Brigadier Rupert Jones, Commander Task Force Helmand, said: "It has been a very impressive demonstration of what the Afghan National Army can be capable of." |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |