This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8400802.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Forces resolute after 100th death | Forces resolute after 100th death |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| British armed forces leaders have urged the public not to judge the Afghanistan campaign by casualties alone after the 100th military death of this year. | British armed forces leaders have urged the public not to judge the Afghanistan campaign by casualties alone after the 100th military death of this year. |
| Head of the army Gen Sir David Richards said such a judgement "undervalues the tremendous efforts" of the UK and Nato allies and the progress being made. | Head of the army Gen Sir David Richards said such a judgement "undervalues the tremendous efforts" of the UK and Nato allies and the progress being made. |
| He added the loss of a comrade "hardens our determination to succeed". | He added the loss of a comrade "hardens our determination to succeed". |
| The death in Helmand was announced hours before Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth arrived to visit troops. | The death in Helmand was announced hours before Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth arrived to visit troops. |
| He will also meet commanders and Afghan officials during a trip the Ministry of Defence said was due to last several days. | He will also meet commanders and Afghan officials during a trip the Ministry of Defence said was due to last several days. |
| US defence secretary Robert Gates has also flown to Afghanistan on a separate visit. | US defence secretary Robert Gates has also flown to Afghanistan on a separate visit. |
| Mr Gates, who is due to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said he would also tell US soldiers the US was "in this thing to win". | Mr Gates, who is due to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said he would also tell US soldiers the US was "in this thing to win". |
| The British soldier, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot in the Nad-e Ali area of Helmand on Monday. | The British soldier, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot in the Nad-e Ali area of Helmand on Monday. |
| 'Challenging year' | 'Challenging year' |
| The soldier has not yet been named but next of kin have been informed. | The soldier has not yet been named but next of kin have been informed. |
| The latest UK military death was "a huge loss to his family and friends", said Gen Richards. | The latest UK military death was "a huge loss to his family and friends", said Gen Richards. |
Most recent UK fatalities | Most recent UK fatalities |
| Total deaths 2009: 100 | Total deaths 2009: 100 |
| Updated: Dec 08 2009Full list | |
| But he added: "For those of us in the Army, whilst we grieve for a fallen comrade, his loss hardens our determination to succeed. | But he added: "For those of us in the Army, whilst we grieve for a fallen comrade, his loss hardens our determination to succeed. |
| "The temptation to judge this essential campaign by casualties alone undervalues the tremendous efforts of our forces and our allies, and the progress they are making." | "The temptation to judge this essential campaign by casualties alone undervalues the tremendous efforts of our forces and our allies, and the progress they are making." |
| Chief of the defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, admitted 2009 had been a "particularly challenging year" but said the sacrifices "have brought security to more of the population of Helmand, and have helped the Afghan National Army to develop its own capabilities to protect the people". | Chief of the defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, admitted 2009 had been a "particularly challenging year" but said the sacrifices "have brought security to more of the population of Helmand, and have helped the Afghan National Army to develop its own capabilities to protect the people". |
| The head of the armed forces warned there was "still much to do, and there will be difficult days ahead". | The head of the armed forces warned there was "still much to do, and there will be difficult days ahead". |
| But ACM Stirrup said: "Our armed forces are making a real difference, and are building the basis for enduring success in Afghanistan." | But ACM Stirrup said: "Our armed forces are making a real difference, and are building the basis for enduring success in Afghanistan." |
| BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says there is a recognition that increases in British and American troop numbers are unlikely to reduce the casualty rate in the short term. | BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says there is a recognition that increases in British and American troop numbers are unlikely to reduce the casualty rate in the short term. |
| AFGHAN WAR DEATH TOLLS 2009 US: 302UK: 100Canada: 27France: 11Italy: 9Others: 49Afghan forces: More than 680 believed killed or missing | AFGHAN WAR DEATH TOLLS 2009 US: 302UK: 100Canada: 27France: 11Italy: 9Others: 49Afghan forces: More than 680 believed killed or missing |
| Source: iCasualties.org; various | Source: iCasualties.org; various |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced last month that 500 more UK troops would be going to Afghanistan, taking the total UK deployment to more than 10,000, while the US plans to boost its deployment by 30,000. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced last month that 500 more UK troops would be going to Afghanistan, taking the total UK deployment to more than 10,000, while the US plans to boost its deployment by 30,000. |
| The total number of UK troops killed since the start of operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 has now reached 237. | The total number of UK troops killed since the start of operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 has now reached 237. |
| The vast majority of British casualties have come from improvised explosive devices, the Taliban's weapon of choice. | The vast majority of British casualties have come from improvised explosive devices, the Taliban's weapon of choice. |
| Following the announcement of the latest death, Mr Brown said: "My thoughts, and the entire nation's, are with the families and friends of every one of those brave men who have died this year; indeed, with every one of our service personnel who have lost their lives serving our country in Afghanistan since 2001." | Following the announcement of the latest death, Mr Brown said: "My thoughts, and the entire nation's, are with the families and friends of every one of those brave men who have died this year; indeed, with every one of our service personnel who have lost their lives serving our country in Afghanistan since 2001." |
| 'Sad milestone' | 'Sad milestone' |
| Conservative leader David Cameron, who has just returned from visiting troops in Helmand, said the death marked a "sad milestone" and was "a stark reminder of the daily threat our troops face". | Conservative leader David Cameron, who has just returned from visiting troops in Helmand, said the death marked a "sad milestone" and was "a stark reminder of the daily threat our troops face". |
| British troops arrived in Afghanistan in 2001 as part of a US-led invasion following the 9/11 attacks. | British troops arrived in Afghanistan in 2001 as part of a US-led invasion following the 9/11 attacks. |
| The majority of foreign troops in Afghanistan are under the command of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). | The majority of foreign troops in Afghanistan are under the command of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). |
| More than 40 countries are part of Isaf, which has a combined strength of about 71,000 troops. The US is by far the largest contributor, followed by the UK. Other major contributors include Germany, France and Canada. | More than 40 countries are part of Isaf, which has a combined strength of about 71,000 troops. The US is by far the largest contributor, followed by the UK. Other major contributors include Germany, France and Canada. |
| The US has lost 931 military personnel, including 302 this year, while the death toll for other countries is 367. | The US has lost 931 military personnel, including 302 this year, while the death toll for other countries is 367. |
| In a speech in London later, Conservative shadow defence secretary Liam Fox is expected to criticise some Nato members for failing to contribute to the campaign. | In a speech in London later, Conservative shadow defence secretary Liam Fox is expected to criticise some Nato members for failing to contribute to the campaign. |
| He is likely to call on countries that are not committing troops to the campaign to contribute more money to fund the operations. | He is likely to call on countries that are not committing troops to the campaign to contribute more money to fund the operations. |
| KEY COALITION GAINS IN HELMAND Lashkar Gah: Capital of Helmand, home to main British command and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) made up of British civilian and military personnel. International organisations and PRT have funded new schools, roads and parks. Population: 200,000. Garmsir: Secured by US marines and British troops after heavy fighting in 2008. Prince Harry served here. Cited as a success story by Ministry of Defence, with flourishing bazaar, school, own police force and Afghan army working with US marines to keep Taliban at bay. Population: 100,000.Sangin: Centre for opium trade and historically sympathetic to Taliban. Taken by Nato-led International Security Assistance Force troops in 2007. MoD says town is safer now thanks to British and Afghan military presence and new checkpoints. Population: 30,000.Musa Qala: Occupied by British forces since bloody battle in December 2007. Still attracts Taliban attacks. Population: 20,000. Gereshk: Major British base, regarded by the MoD as "one of the most stable areas in Helmand" - but 30 British soldiers killed in the area in the past three years.Babaji and Nad Ali: Although no longer controlled by Taliban, coalition forces still fighting to keep area secure.Kajaki: Scene of heavy fighting from February 2007 to September 2008, when British secured strategic dam, now being rebuilt. | KEY COALITION GAINS IN HELMAND Lashkar Gah: Capital of Helmand, home to main British command and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) made up of British civilian and military personnel. International organisations and PRT have funded new schools, roads and parks. Population: 200,000. Garmsir: Secured by US marines and British troops after heavy fighting in 2008. Prince Harry served here. Cited as a success story by Ministry of Defence, with flourishing bazaar, school, own police force and Afghan army working with US marines to keep Taliban at bay. Population: 100,000.Sangin: Centre for opium trade and historically sympathetic to Taliban. Taken by Nato-led International Security Assistance Force troops in 2007. MoD says town is safer now thanks to British and Afghan military presence and new checkpoints. Population: 30,000.Musa Qala: Occupied by British forces since bloody battle in December 2007. Still attracts Taliban attacks. Population: 20,000. Gereshk: Major British base, regarded by the MoD as "one of the most stable areas in Helmand" - but 30 British soldiers killed in the area in the past three years.Babaji and Nad Ali: Although no longer controlled by Taliban, coalition forces still fighting to keep area secure.Kajaki: Scene of heavy fighting from February 2007 to September 2008, when British secured strategic dam, now being rebuilt. |