Britain ready to double forces in Afghanistan

Britain is preparing to send hundreds of troops to Afghanistan to help stem the growing threat posed by Isil and the Taliban, it was reported last night. Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, is understood to be keen to send as many as 400 soldiers in addition to the 650 troops serving with Afghan security forces. A spate of terrorist attacks in the capital, Kabul, has raised fears Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) is becoming more of a threat in the country.

BRITAIN is readying plans to send hundreds of troops to Afghanistan in a move to help tackle the growing threat posed by Isil and the Taliban, it was reported last night.

Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, is understood to be keen to nearly double the number of soldiers if he is able to authorise such a move.

It comes nearly two decades after Britain first deployed ground troops in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks, and nearly four years after combat soldiers were withdrawn as Camp Bastion was handed over to Afghan forces.

However, recent blasts in Afghanistan’s Kabul carried out by extremists, including twin attacks last month in which 36 people were killed, including 10 journalists, has raised fears Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) is becoming more of a threat in the country.

US officials announced plans last year to send 3,500 extra troops to help bolster the Afghanistan military, on top of the 11,000 already there.

If Britain was to send at least 400 extra soldiers – figures last night suggested it could be as many – it would result in its troop numbers exceeding 1,000. Currently, 650 troops are serving with Afghan security forces.

Last night Julian Lewis, chairman of the defence select committee, told The Daily Telegraph: “Nato and the UK have a continuing resolve to ensure Afghanistan does not fall back under the control of the Taliban. It should not be surprising to hear we would consider such action in light of an evolving threat”.

Mr Williamson’s office declined to comment last night, while a Ministry of Defence 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.

“We remain committed to Nato’s non-combat resolute support mission, in which we play an important role, and keep our contribution under constant review.”

According to The Times, a final plan has yet to be signed off but Theresa May could make an announcement at a Nato summit this summer.

♦ Special Forces caused panic in southwest London when they staged a secret training exercise to prepare for a terrorist attack.

Members of the SAS are understood to have been involved in the drill on Wednesday night in a disused brewery in Mortlake.

An MOD spokesman said: “A military exercise was conducted and the Metropolitan Police Service was informed.”