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| Troops 'fighting for UK's future' | Troops 'fighting for UK's future' |
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| Foreign Secretary David Miliband has defended the UK's continued military presence in Afghanistan, after eight troops were killed in 24 hours. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has defended the UK's continued military presence in Afghanistan, after eight troops were killed in 24 hours. |
| Some 184 troops have died there since 2001, more than the 179 killed in Iraq. | Some 184 troops have died there since 2001, more than the 179 killed in Iraq. |
| With Britain's role being called into question, Mr Miliband said UK forces were stopping Afghanistan becoming "a launch pad for attacks" by terrorists. | With Britain's role being called into question, Mr Miliband said UK forces were stopping Afghanistan becoming "a launch pad for attacks" by terrorists. |
| He said safety at home needed security in Afghanistan. "This is about the future of Britain," he added. | He said safety at home needed security in Afghanistan. "This is about the future of Britain," he added. |
| The UK Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, insisted "real governance" was emerging in Afghanistan. | The UK Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, insisted "real governance" was emerging in Afghanistan. |
| See a map of the conflict zone | See a map of the conflict zone |
| He said Britain had "taken some very sad casualties over the last several days" and warned of more deaths to come but insisted the Taliban were "losing" in Afghanistan. | He said Britain had "taken some very sad casualties over the last several days" and warned of more deaths to come but insisted the Taliban were "losing" in Afghanistan. |
| "It's very clear to everyone who has visited Helmand in particular over the last three years that, where we provide the necessary degree of security for its citizens, real governance is starting to emerge," he added. | "It's very clear to everyone who has visited Helmand in particular over the last three years that, where we provide the necessary degree of security for its citizens, real governance is starting to emerge," he added. |
| BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson | BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson |
| When British troops were first deployed to southern Afghanistan three years ago the then defence secretary expressed the hope that they would complete their mission without a shot being fired. | When British troops were first deployed to southern Afghanistan three years ago the then defence secretary expressed the hope that they would complete their mission without a shot being fired. |
| It has instead been the most high intensity fighting British troops have faced since the Korean War in the 1950s. | It has instead been the most high intensity fighting British troops have faced since the Korean War in the 1950s. |
| To critics, the ferocity of the fighting is proof of how ill thought out the whole mission has been all along. | To critics, the ferocity of the fighting is proof of how ill thought out the whole mission has been all along. |
| Defenders of the operation, however, say it was always bound to be difficult and that the casualties while regrettable have been suffered in a worthwhile and winnable cause. | Defenders of the operation, however, say it was always bound to be difficult and that the casualties while regrettable have been suffered in a worthwhile and winnable cause. |
| Certainly the deployment to Afghanistan of around 10% of Britain's army has proved a real strain on manpower, equipment and finances. | Certainly the deployment to Afghanistan of around 10% of Britain's army has proved a real strain on manpower, equipment and finances. |
| For now at least though, Britain remains firmly committed to staying the course. | For now at least though, Britain remains firmly committed to staying the course. |
| Fifteen soldiers have died in 10 days in southern Afghanistan. | Fifteen soldiers have died in 10 days in southern Afghanistan. |
| Five from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles were killed in two separate blasts while on foot patrol near Sangin, Helmand province, on Friday. | Five from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles were killed in two separate blasts while on foot patrol near Sangin, Helmand province, on Friday. |
| Hours earlier, it had been confirmed a British soldier from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment died near Nad Ali in Helmand. | Hours earlier, it had been confirmed a British soldier from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment died near Nad Ali in Helmand. |
| Two soldiers died on Thursday evening. One, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a blast while on foot patrol near Nad Ali. | Two soldiers died on Thursday evening. One, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a blast while on foot patrol near Nad Ali. |
| The second, from Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was killed during an engagement with insurgent forces near Lashkar Gah. | The second, from Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was killed during an engagement with insurgent forces near Lashkar Gah. |
| It has brought the UK's role in the conflict under increased scrutiny. | It has brought the UK's role in the conflict under increased scrutiny. |
| However, Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme troops were there to "ensure that Afghanistan can not again become an incubator for terrorism and a launching pad for attacks on us". | However, Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme troops were there to "ensure that Afghanistan can not again become an incubator for terrorism and a launching pad for attacks on us". |
| "This is about the future of Britain because we know that the borderlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan have been used to launch terrible attacks, not just on the US but on Britain as well," he added. | "This is about the future of Britain because we know that the borderlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan have been used to launch terrible attacks, not just on the US but on Britain as well," he added. |
| Helicopter call | Helicopter call |
| The mission would not be over until the 65,000-strong Afghan security forces had been bolstered to the 120,000 needed to defend the nation, he said. | The mission would not be over until the 65,000-strong Afghan security forces had been bolstered to the 120,000 needed to defend the nation, he said. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| The recent casualties coincided with UK troops' involvement in Operation Panchai Palang, or Panther's Claw, a major assault against the Taliban in Helmand ahead of next month's Afghan elections. | The recent casualties coincided with UK troops' involvement in Operation Panchai Palang, or Panther's Claw, a major assault against the Taliban in Helmand ahead of next month's Afghan elections. |
| They have been joined by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops for the mission. | They have been joined by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops for the mission. |
| Mr Miliband defended claims by Conservative leader David Cameron that those fighting on the front line were not properly equipped - particularly with helicopters. | Mr Miliband defended claims by Conservative leader David Cameron that those fighting on the front line were not properly equipped - particularly with helicopters. |
| The foreign secretary said the government had spent £10bn on equipment for force protection - including 1,200 new vehicles - in the last five years. | The foreign secretary said the government had spent £10bn on equipment for force protection - including 1,200 new vehicles - in the last five years. |
| "Protection of people there is the highest priority for the government," he added. | "Protection of people there is the highest priority for the government," he added. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYThe British soldiers must suspend all activities in Afghanistan and come homeKenneth, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYThe British soldiers must suspend all activities in Afghanistan and come homeKenneth, London Send us your comments |
| Mr Cameron had praised the bravery of British troops as "outstanding" but had called on the government to explain its strategy and deliver key equipment. | Mr Cameron had praised the bravery of British troops as "outstanding" but had called on the government to explain its strategy and deliver key equipment. |
| "It is a scandal that our forces still lack the helicopters they desperately require to move around in Helmand," he said. | "It is a scandal that our forces still lack the helicopters they desperately require to move around in Helmand," he said. |
| "Promises of more helicopters in the future are not enough. More helicopters are needed today. More helicopters would save lives." | "Promises of more helicopters in the future are not enough. More helicopters are needed today. More helicopters would save lives." |
| Fifteen UK soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan in the last 10 days | |
| Return to top | Return to top |