UK TO WITHDRAW 5,200 TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN BY END OF 2013

London, 3 Ramadan 1434/11 July 2013 (MINA) – British defense officials on Wednesday announced that the number of UK troops will fall to about 600 by autumn in Afghanistan.

Philip Hammon, British Defense Minister in a statement said that the government of UK aims to cut troops level in Afghanistan by 5,200 by the end of 2013, Khaama Press quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

United Kingdom has deployed around 7,900 troops under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan, which are mostly stationed in southern Helmand province of Afgahnistan.

All NATO combat troops are expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014 after Afghan national security forces take full security lead across the country.

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However United Kingdom is considering to keep a small residual force in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to assist with the training of Afghan national security forces and provide logistical advice and assistance.

In the meantime British Defense Minister Philip Hammond in his statement said that the figureof 600 troops could vary if “additional surges” were needed.

The Defence Secretary said reservists would continue to deploy to Afghanistan, with around 400 called up.

The majority will serve on operations for around six months although reservists will be included in numbers stood down due to drawdown plans, he said. (T/P09/E1).

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).