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wasnt this 50 + alliance with the MOST superior advanced weapons and aircraft supposed to have "won" this back in 2001? WHo knew wishful thinking would be the norm. Here is what is really happening- the latest headlines, and before it is asked, the Guardian is not mouthpiece of the Taliban, and the author, Nick Hopkins is not a Taliban "propagandist."
British forces withdraw from another Helmand district
British forces in Afghanistan are to hand over responsibility for another district of Helmand province as part of a transition process that will lead to local police and army taking complete control of the country's security.
The announcement was made on Sunday shortly after the Ministry of Defence revealed that another British soldier had been killed in Helmand – the seventh this month, and the 390th since the conflict began.
The recent spate of deaths in Helmand may reflect insurgent efforts to destabilise the province as the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, finalised details of those districts to be included in the second wave of transition.
Security for Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, was taken over by Afghan forces in July, and the president said the Nad-e Ali district will be in the next tranche.
British forces, which have been stationed there since 2006, had been anticipating the move and have been gradually handing over responsibility to the Afghan police and army in recent weeks.
Under Nato's withdrawal plans, no western troops will be in a combat role anywhere in Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
The UK is already beginning a slow wind-down of operations, with 500 of the 9,500 troops currently in Afghanistan due to return next year. A much accelerated pullout will be needed after that.
The MoD said there had been an 86% drop in violent incidents across Nad-e Ali in the past 12 months.
But doubts remain over the professionalism of Afghan forces, and how they will be funded after 2014.
There is also concern about what will happen in Helmand when the US marines start to pull out of other districts in the province next year. Afghan security forces are now expected to fill in these gaps, rather than British troops, who will only continue to work within the "battle-space" they have occupied in recent years.
William Hague, the foreign secretary, said the president's announcement indicated that "steady and positive progress is being made" in Helmand.
In another statement, Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, said British troops deserved praise for the effort they had made in training and mentoring Afghan forces.
Earlier, the MoD announced that a soldier from the 5th Battalion The Rifles was killed in the Babaji area of the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The soldier was on foot patrol when he was caught in an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device. His family has been informed
British forces withdraw from another Helmand district
- Nick Hopkins
- The Guardian, Sunday 27 November 2011
British forces in Afghanistan are to hand over responsibility for another district of Helmand province as part of a transition process that will lead to local police and army taking complete control of the country's security.
The announcement was made on Sunday shortly after the Ministry of Defence revealed that another British soldier had been killed in Helmand – the seventh this month, and the 390th since the conflict began.
The recent spate of deaths in Helmand may reflect insurgent efforts to destabilise the province as the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, finalised details of those districts to be included in the second wave of transition.
Security for Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, was taken over by Afghan forces in July, and the president said the Nad-e Ali district will be in the next tranche.
British forces, which have been stationed there since 2006, had been anticipating the move and have been gradually handing over responsibility to the Afghan police and army in recent weeks.
Under Nato's withdrawal plans, no western troops will be in a combat role anywhere in Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
The UK is already beginning a slow wind-down of operations, with 500 of the 9,500 troops currently in Afghanistan due to return next year. A much accelerated pullout will be needed after that.
The MoD said there had been an 86% drop in violent incidents across Nad-e Ali in the past 12 months.
But doubts remain over the professionalism of Afghan forces, and how they will be funded after 2014.
There is also concern about what will happen in Helmand when the US marines start to pull out of other districts in the province next year. Afghan security forces are now expected to fill in these gaps, rather than British troops, who will only continue to work within the "battle-space" they have occupied in recent years.
William Hague, the foreign secretary, said the president's announcement indicated that "steady and positive progress is being made" in Helmand.
In another statement, Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, said British troops deserved praise for the effort they had made in training and mentoring Afghan forces.
Earlier, the MoD announced that a soldier from the 5th Battalion The Rifles was killed in the Babaji area of the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The soldier was on foot patrol when he was caught in an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device. His family has been informed
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