Troop promise before Nato summit
LONDON: The British Government is planning to almost double the number of its troops in Afghanistan after a request from United States President Donald Trump for reinforcements to help tackle the fragile security situation there.
Prime Minister Theresa May announced the Government would send an extra 440 troops, which would bring Britain’s total to about 1100, to help Afghan troops fighting Taliban and Islamic State insurgents.
The extra troops will take part in a Nato led training mission, called Resolute Support, to train and assist Afghan forces. They will be based in Kabul and will not be in a combat role. British troops ended combat operations in 2014.
The announcement came the day before a Nato summit in Belgium that could turn contentious over US insistence allies pay more for their defence.
The extra British troops will initially come from the Welsh Guards. Around half will arrive in August and the rest in February next year. — Reuters