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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK giving US control of Musa Qala | UK giving US control of Musa Qala |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| UK forces are to hand security powers in the Afghan district of Musa Qala to US troops in the coming weeks, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said. | UK forces are to hand security powers in the Afghan district of Musa Qala to US troops in the coming weeks, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said. |
| The move is part of a rebalancing of forces enabled by the extra US troops announced by President Barack Obama. | The move is part of a rebalancing of forces enabled by the extra US troops announced by President Barack Obama. |
| The transfer will allow UK troops to be redeployed to other parts of Helmand. | The transfer will allow UK troops to be redeployed to other parts of Helmand. |
| Nato forces captured Musa Qala in 2006, before the Taliban returned after power was handed to tribal elders. It had to be recaptured in December 2007. | Nato forces captured Musa Qala in 2006, before the Taliban returned after power was handed to tribal elders. It had to be recaptured in December 2007. |
| In a statement, the defence secretary said transferring control of the district was the "logical next stage" as the American troop surge came into effect. | In a statement, the defence secretary said transferring control of the district was the "logical next stage" as the American troop surge came into effect. |
| He told MPs: "The transfer will allow UK troops to be redeployed from Musa Qala to central Helmand, the most heavily-populated area of the province, where the majority of our troops are already based." | He told MPs: "The transfer will allow UK troops to be redeployed from Musa Qala to central Helmand, the most heavily-populated area of the province, where the majority of our troops are already based." |
| 'Emotional' | |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said handing over control to the Americans would be an "emotional" thing. | |
| "The name Musa Qala is etched in the consciousness of many soldiers and their families. | |
| "It's where some of the fiercest fighting took place in 2006. The town was handed over to locals, the Taliban grabbed it back from them and then there was a very fierce battle to get it back. Brits have died to get Musa Qala. | |
| "Some will say did we get it for nothing, simply to hand it over. The military commanders would say Britain and America are on one side supporting the Afghan government... and it's staying secure." | |
| At least 18 UK service personnel have been killed in the area, the latest being Kingsman Sean Dawson, 19, from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester. | |
| The soldier, from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, is believed to have been caught up in a "friendly fire" incident on 14 February. |