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UK's Afghan mission 'hit by Iraq' Delay issue over Afghan mission
(about 2 hours later)
A commander of British troops in Afghanistan has said UK military operations in the country have been affected by the war in Iraq. A British commander in Afghanistan has said UK military operations in the south of the country have been affected by the war in Iraq.
Brigadier Ed Butler said the Taleban had been "tactically defeated" in Northern Helmand and he was "staggered and humbled" by his soldiers' courage. Brigadier Ed Butler said that the mission underway in Helmand now could have started in 2002.
But he said the now-returned 3 Para Battle Group nearly ran out of rations. And he also admitted that 3 Para Battle Group had nearly ran out of rations during recent fighting.
The Army could have done what it is doing now in Helmand Province in 2002, he also said. But he said the delay in starting work in Helmand would not stop victory and the end of the Taleban threat.
Brig Jerry Thomas took over command from Brig Butler on Sunday as the 3 Para Battle Group was replaced by the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade. Brig Butler, commander of 16 Air Assault (including 3 Para), was briefing journalists in London following the end of his six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
His comments came as British troops pulled out of Musa Qala in Helmand, which has been a centre of Taleban insurgency in recent months.His comments came as British troops pulled out of Musa Qala in Helmand, which has been a centre of Taleban insurgency in recent months.
I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time Brig Ed Butler UK troops pull out of town
Troops have withdrawn to an area outside the town to allow what locals have called a "ceasefire". However, the military has not used this term.Troops have withdrawn to an area outside the town to allow what locals have called a "ceasefire". However, the military has not used this term.
'Catching up' He said the Taleban had been "tactically defeated" in northern Helmand and he was "staggered and humbled" by his soldiers' courage.
Brig Butler, commander of 16 Air Assault (including 3 Para), was briefing journalists in London following the end of his six month tour of duty in Afghanistan. However, he said on occasions his men, while never actually starving, had found themselves down to "belt rations".
He said the mission had laid a "solid foundation" for the rest of the campaign. Brig Jerry Thomas took over command from Brig Butler on Sunday as the 3 Para Battle Group was replaced by the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade.
However, he said on occasions his men found themselves down to "belt rations". Brig Butler acknowledged there had been an effect on operations because of not deploying earlier.
He admitted some troops may have underestimated the "ferocity and tenacity" of the Taleban but said UK personnel had never been in danger of being overrun. Taleban fear
It doesn't mean that we will not achieve what we set out to do. We have not slipped back Brig Ed Butler UK troops pull out of town
In his briefing, Brig Butler acknowledged there was a delay in deploying Nato troops after the overthrow of the Taliban in 2002 because of UK and US commitments in Iraq.
"We could have carried on in 2002 in the same way we have gone about business now," he said."We could have carried on in 2002 in the same way we have gone about business now," he said.
"Have the interim four years made a difference? I think realistically they have."Have the interim four years made a difference? I think realistically they have.
"It doesn't mean that we will not achieve what we set out to do. We have not slipped back."It doesn't mean that we will not achieve what we set out to do. We have not slipped back.
"I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time.""I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time."
And he warned there was always a chance that the Taleban could regroup in the spring and that it was vital that Nato pressed on with reconstruction projects to win local support
A considerable number of casualties had been suffered by the battle group, Brig Butler said, but they had been fewer than expected.
The commander said the pull-out from Musa Qala was a positive sign of Afghans delivering their own security.