Up to 100 UK troops to Kabul

BRITAIN will send up to 100 extra troops to Afghanistan under plans being examined by the Government.

They will be deployed to the capital Kabul to join around 500 on a training mission. It is understood the proposal was discussed by Theresa May and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Number 10 yesterday.

It follows a request by Nato for the UK to step up its role as the Afghan security forces struggle to maintain their grip on the war-torn country. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has repeatedly ruled out combat troops but stressed the need for training and security assistance.

Nato wants ‘a few thousand’ more troops from across the Western alliance amid fears over the worsening security situation, territorial gains by Taliban militants and military and civilian casualties.

Mr Stoltenberg said: ‘We will make decisions on the scale and scope of the mission within weeks but this is not about returning back to a combat operation in Afghanistan. I strongly believe the best weapon against terrorism is to train local forces.’

US officials have recommended a further 3,000 American troops be deployed.

Combat operations against the Taliban officially ended in 2014, but 450 UK troops remained to train and advise local forces. A further 50 were sent last July.