Hamid Karzai to announce handover of last British-controlled area of Helmand

However the handover of the last British territory now paves the way for a far
larger withdrawal in 2013, as troops switch to training and support missions
rather than combat.

Britain will then maintain a far smaller force after the 2014 deadline for the
whole country to be under Afghan control.

Though British commanders say security has improved greatly in Nahr-e Saraj in
the past 12 months, the district continues to see fighting and British
casualties.

Cpl Andrew Roberts and Pte Ratu Silibaravi, both aged 32, were killed during a
mortar attack on Forward Operating Base Ouellette last week.

Britain has lost 18 troops this year in Helmand.

Next week’s announcement by Mr Karzai will mark the third tranche of areas to
begin transfer.

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, the former finance minister now in charge of the
handover, said: “In 2014 we will face a national survival test, but our
enemies have to know that this nation is committed to fulfil this process.”

“The third stage is a difficult stage. We don’t want to tell lies to
Afghanistan’s people, but these difficulties are not ones that have no
solution. The fourth and fifth stages will be more difficult.”

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes