Troops out of Kabul ‘in weeks’ with SAS back-up

BRITISH troops will be out of Afghanistan by the end of next month with the SAS safeguarding withdrawal, sources have revealed.

The UK’S 550 remaining troops, now based in Kabul, are to quit the country after almost 20 years of serving alongside coalition forces.

Soldiers from 2nd battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, the main force protection unit, have already begun to reduce their military footprint.

And last week Army mentors at the Afghan army officers’ training college on the outskirts of Kabul moved into a central holding base.

More than 60 SAS soldiers have flown to Kabul to work with colleagues attached to US Special Operations to provide security, and monitor and neutralise potential threats from the Taliban, Al Qaeda or Islamic State.

The unit has deployed with a dog team, medics and a bomb disposal unit, sources say.

British troops ended their combat mission in 2014. Since then a much smaller force has been training and mentoring Afghan troops while providing protection for Nato advisers.

Last night a senior Army source said: “All withdrawals provide a particularly dangerous window and Kabul is no exception.

“Right now, Islamic State, Al Qaeda and the Taliban are fighting for power and there is a fear it will escalate when we leave. The arrival of additional forces is to provide surveillance to prevent an attack.”

He confirmed all UK forces would be out by July 31, to coincide with the US withdrawal date. British forces first arrived in 2001, as part of US President George W Bush’s post9/11 response to thwart Al Qaeda.

In 2006 they moved to Helmand Province for combat operations.

In total, 454 British soldiers died in Afghanistan and thousands were left with life-changing injuries.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “As we draw down, the security of our people in Afghanistan remains our priority and we have been clear that attacks on Allied troops will be met with a forceful response.” Experts have criticised the decision, noting the build up of Taliban forces since the coalition’s combat operations ended in 2014.

The Taliban now surround Afghan forces in both Lashkar Gah and Kandahar.

Last night Col Richard Kemp, commander of UK forces in Afghanistan in 2003, said: “Donald Trump’s withdrawal plan was conditional on actions by the Taliban. He recognised the real danger of civil war between the Taliban and civilian government. Biden’s plan, however, is completely unconditional.”

He said the UK is not capable of remaining in Afghanistan without US support, adding: “We’ve spent years training Afghan forces but the only thing that keeps the Taliban in check is a Western presence.”

An MOD spokesman said: “The UK’S operation forms a part of the Nato-led Resolute Support Mission, which will be drawn down in line with our Nato allies and partners.”

‘Withdrawals are very dangerous, this one is too’