450 more British soldiers could go to Afghanistan as Taliban surges
BRITAIN is poised to increase its military presence in Afghanistan to counter a resurgence by the Taliban.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is understood to have written to the Prime Minister recommending the extra manpower, although a decision is yet to be made.
The Ministry of Defence said the UK’s contribution to the mission was kept “under constant review”.
But, according to reports, another 400 to 450 soldiers could be sent to the country to join the 600 already deployed in non-combat roles.
However, military experts warned that Britain may need to be prepared to send a much more significant force to the war-torn country just a few years after ending military operations there.
Former general Sir Richard Barrons said even more troops could be required. The retired senior officer said the decision to end combat operations in Afghanistan at the end of 2014 “hasn’t worked”. He said that 400 extra troops would “send an important message to our allies” that they should do more and would also signal to the Taliban “they will never bring this fight in Afghanistan to an end by fighting, they have to resort to dialogue”.
But he suggested a greater military presence and an enhanced, more dangerous role should be considered, with troops leaving the safety of their bases to accompany Afghan forces on operations.
“I absolutely think, if we are going to make a meaningful contribution, we will have to find the courage to train, advise, assist and accompany them into action,” General Barrons said. “With that comes some risks and consequences but that’s how you make a difference.”
The US has increased its presence in Afghanistan since Mr Trump unveiled his South Asia strategy in August last year.
About 4,000 troops are thought to have been added to the 8,400-strong US deployment in the country, to bolster the Kabul government and train Afghan forces and fight the Taliban and other militant groups.
General Barrons suggested the UK should deploy around 10 per cent of the troops sent by the US, which would lift the British contribution to more than 1,200.
A MoD spokesman said: “The support the UK provides Afghanistan on security, development and governance is crucial to building a stable state and reducing the terrorist threat to the UK. ”
A US government spokesman said secretary of state Mike Pompeo had “reinforced our enduring investment in Afghanistan” in a conversation with the country’s president, Ashraf Ghani on Thursday.
The reported change in approach is said to come amid concerns over how Mr Trump will approach a coming meeting of Nato leaders.
Theresa May is expected to join the President at the summit in Brussels in July, with Mr Trump then set to make a visit to the UK. Mr Trump has repeatedly called for Nato members to meet their defence spending commitment of per cent of gross two domestic product and has threatened to quit Nato if his demands are not met.
During a meeting with Mr Trump in Washington on Thursday, Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg said all members have increased their spending.
Following the talks Mr Stoltenberg said it is “very important that we all contribute more to our shared security”.