UK to deploy 600 troops to Afghanistan to help evacuate Britons

[Kernal]

The UK is sending military personnel to help evacuate Britons from Afghanistan as the security situation in the country rapidly deteriorates.
The move was authorised by the defence secretary on Thursday morning.
Ben Wallace said 600 troops will be sent to Kabul on a "short-term basis" in response to the increasing violence across the country. They are expected to arrive in the coming days.
The decisions came as Taliban captured Kandahar and Herat - Afghanistan's second- and third-largest cities respectively, and US intelligence warned Kabul could fall within 90 days.
The capture of Kandahar marks the biggest prize yet for the Taliban, which has now taken 12 of Afghanistan's provincial capitals.
Mr Wallace said: "I have authorised the deployment of additional military personnel to support the diplomatic presence in Kabul, assist British nationals to leave the country and support the relocation of former Afghan staff who risked their lives serving alongside us," said Mr Wallace.




"The security of British nationals, British military personnel and former Afghan staff is our first priority. We must do everything we can to ensure their safety."
The Ministry of Defence has characterised the move as part of the ongoing withdrawal of NATO forces, but in reality it is an unplanned emergency response to the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan as the Taliban rampage across the country.
The British soldiers will also assist with the acceleration of the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy.
"This will help to make sure interpreters and other Afghan staff who risked their lives working alongside UK forces in Afghanistan can relocate to the UK as soon as possible," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.




The number of staff working at the British Embassy in Kabul has also been significantly reduced to a "core group", the government has announced - the remaining staff will focus on consular help to anyone wanting to leave the country.





Whats your though`s on it ?

[nevadacowboy]

When will the British government ever learn. Many have tried and failed in Afghanistan. It's their country, let them have it and I am all in favour of any remaining brits being evacuated safely and as quickly as possible.

[rgc_swanseaARC]

Same old...when the world goes to shit who do they call...Britain, one of the smallest geographically by landmass and then the USA cos lets face it they have more firepower in the civilian population than most armies...hence why Russia wont do a Crimea to them.

Waste of money and UK/US lives...I feel for the families of those who have lost loved ones in Afghan, now seeing that hard work and sacrifice walked all over...so what were their loved ones lives lost for?

[daystatesniper]

We need to concentrate on what is happening on our own doorstep esp' with the dingy divers arriving faster than rats up a drain pipe .

atvb' Mick

[Kernal]

agreed m8,...all the refugees arriving into our country and even france pushed them onto our borders so we have to take responsibility for them and pay for them all too and they do come in there millions to enjoy our free benefit system.

But oh well i`m just a single voice posting out,...but trust me its our kids that will suffer in the long run!

nuff said.