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| Afghan mission 'vital for the UK' | Afghan mission 'vital for the UK' |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The defence secretary has said the Afghanistan mission is vital to the UK's national security, following the 100th military death of this year. | The defence secretary has said the Afghanistan mission is vital to the UK's national security, following the 100th military death of this year. |
| Bob Ainsworth joined calls for the public not to judge the campaign by casualties alone as he arrived to visit troops in Helmand. | Bob Ainsworth joined calls for the public not to judge the campaign by casualties alone as he arrived to visit troops in Helmand. |
| Head of the Army Gen Sir David Richards said such a judgement "undervalues the tremendous efforts" of the UK troops. | Head of the Army Gen Sir David Richards said such a judgement "undervalues the tremendous efforts" of the UK troops. |
| The body of the 99th UK serviceman to be killed was flown back earlier. | |
| Gen Sir David Richards added the loss of a comrade "hardens our determination to succeed". | |
| Mr Ainsworth said: "In Afghanistan there is a sense of very real progress in this mission that we are putting things where they need to be. | Mr Ainsworth said: "In Afghanistan there is a sense of very real progress in this mission that we are putting things where they need to be. |
| "The mission is of vital importance to our national security back in the UK and people have to understand that's the reason we are here." | "The mission is of vital importance to our national security back in the UK and people have to understand that's the reason we are here." |
| 'Challenging year' | 'Challenging year' |
| The milestone 100th death comes only a week after the 99th UK serviceman was killed in Afghanistan this year - 30-year-old Acting Sgt John Amer. | The milestone 100th death comes only a week after the 99th UK serviceman was killed in Afghanistan this year - 30-year-old Acting Sgt John Amer. |
| The body of A/Sgt Amer, who was fatally wounded as he went to help a colleague who had been wounded in another explosion moments earlier, has been flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. | |
| The latest death in Helmand was announced hours before Mr Ainsworth arrived for a trip the Ministry of Defence said was due to last several days. He will also meet commanders and Afghan officials. | The latest death in Helmand was announced hours before Mr Ainsworth arrived for a trip the Ministry of Defence said was due to last several days. He will also meet commanders and Afghan officials. |
| 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. |
Most recent UK fatalities | Most recent UK fatalities |
| Total deaths 2009: 100 | Total deaths 2009: 100 |
| Updated: Dec 08 2009Full list | Updated: Dec 08 2009Full list |
| Mr Gates, who is due to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said he would also tell American 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 American 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. |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| The 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 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 Sir Jock said: "Our armed forces are making a real difference, and are building the basis for enduring success in Afghanistan." | But Sir Jock said: "Our armed forces are making a real difference, and are building the basis for enduring success in Afghanistan." |
| 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 |
| Former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was now, "late in the day... beginning to get" the significance and importance of winning in Afghanistan. | Former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was now, "late in the day... beginning to get" the significance and importance of winning in Afghanistan. |
| He said: "In my last three encounters with him, at the end of July and the beginning of August after I got back from my last trip to Afghanistan, I felt he was beginning to get it." | He said: "In my last three encounters with him, at the end of July and the beginning of August after I got back from my last trip to Afghanistan, I felt he was beginning to get it." |
| 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. |
| Mr 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. | Mr 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. |
| 'Sad milestone' | 'Sad milestone' |
| 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." |
| 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". |
| The Stop the War coalition said it would be intensifying its campaign to have troops withdrawn. | The Stop the War coalition said it would be intensifying its campaign to have troops withdrawn. |
| Spokesman Andrew Bergin said: "It is an unnecessary war and we don't want any more deaths." | Spokesman Andrew Bergin said: "It is an unnecessary war and we don't want any more deaths." |
| A/Sgt Amer's wife said her husband was "her world" | A/Sgt Amer's wife said her husband was "her world" |
| The group will deliver a petition to Downing Street on 21 December. | The group will deliver a petition to Downing Street on 21 December. |
| 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. |
| Meanwhile, President Hamid Karzai has warned that it will take 15 years before it is able to pay for the costs of maintaining its own security forces. | Meanwhile, President Hamid Karzai has warned that it will take 15 years before it is able to pay for the costs of maintaining its own security forces. |
| "Afghanistan is looking forward to taking over responsibility in terms of paying for its forces and delivering to its forces with its own resources, but that will not be for another 15 years," he said. | "Afghanistan is looking forward to taking over responsibility in terms of paying for its forces and delivering to its forces with its own resources, but that will not be for another 15 years," he said. |
| 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. |