UK unlikely to heed Trump’s call for help in Afghanistan

● Fallon backs US pledge but gives no indication of further troops being sent

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has welcomed President Donald Trump’s pledge to beef up the US military presence in Afghanistan, saying allies must “stay the course” in the conflict.

However, it is thought unlikely that the UK will increase its deployment there in the wake of Mr Trump’s announcement.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was critical of the US president, saying more troops and bombs would continue the failure of military action in Afghanistan.

In a dramatic turnaround from his election campaign calls for the 16-year war to be brought to an end, Mr Trump unveiled a new south Asia strategy designed to prevent a Taleban takeover, target Islamic State and al-qaeda and stop mass terror attacks in the US.

He said he was “confident” that Nato allies – which include Britain – would increase troops and funding in line with the US.

But in a statement responding to the announcement, Sir Michael gave no indication that the UK was considering an increase to its 500-strong deployment and stressed that an additional 85 troops were committed as recently as June.

Sir Michael was briefed by his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, ahead of the presi-

0 President Trump delivers his address to the nation yesterday dent’s announcement, in the first of a series of telephone calls to Nato allies.

But it is understood that London has received no formal request from the US for further military support, and UK sources played down the prospects of an increase in British boots on the ground.

Sir Michael said: “The US commitment is very welcome.

“In my call with Secretary Mattis yesterday we agreed that, despite the challenges, we have to stay the course in Afghanistan to help build up its fragile democracy and reduce the terrorist threat to the West.

“It’s in all our interests that Afghanistan becomes more prosperous and safer: that’s why we announced our own troops increase back in June.”

Mr Trump made repeated calls before his election for US troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan, where they have been involved in military operations since the 2001 war to topple the Taleban following the 9/11 attacks.

But in an address to the nation from Fort Myer, near Washington DC, the president acknowledged he had changed his mind on the issue and decided to go against his “original instinct”.

Mr Corbyn said: “The British government should make clear to Donald Trump that his strategy of more bombing and a new troop surge will continue this failure – not obediently applaud his latest policy U-turn.”