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UK nears end of Afghanistan pullout UK nears end of Afghanistan pullout
(about 1 hour later)
The British Army has made another significant move towards its final withdrawal from Afghanistan and has now pulled back to controlling just two bases.The British Army has made another significant move towards its final withdrawal from Afghanistan and has now pulled back to controlling just two bases.
UK troops are now only operating at their Afghanistan headquarters at Camp Bastion and an observation post called Sterga 2, both of which are in Helmand.UK troops are now only operating at their Afghanistan headquarters at Camp Bastion and an observation post called Sterga 2, both of which are in Helmand.
At the height of the war, more than 10,000 soldiers controlled 137 bases.At the height of the war, more than 10,000 soldiers controlled 137 bases.
Only 4,000 troops currently remain in the country.Only 4,000 troops currently remain in the country.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said that Camp Bastion itself was shrinking in size as soldiers and military kit was shipped or flown back to the UK.BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said that Camp Bastion itself was shrinking in size as soldiers and military kit was shipped or flown back to the UK.
He said: "The British military described it as a complex and well planned operation that's taken over a month and involved dozens of movements by road and by air.He said: "The British military described it as a complex and well planned operation that's taken over a month and involved dozens of movements by road and by air.
"The British now occupy their smallest footprint since they first entered Helmand.""The British now occupy their smallest footprint since they first entered Helmand."
Part of this most recent exit operation has involved handing over a base called Lashkar Gah, formerly a main operating base for the British, to the Afghans. Part of this most recent exit operation has involved handing over the Lashkar Gah base, formerly a main operating base for the British, to the Afghans.
And in the coming months Sterga will be handed over to Nato control.And in the coming months Sterga will be handed over to Nato control.
The number of deaths to British troops throughout the 13-year conflict currently stands at 448, with the most recent being Sapper Adam Moralee, from 32 Engineer Regiment, who died at Camp Bastion on 5 March. The number of deaths of British troops throughout the 13-year conflict currently stands at 448, with the most recent being Sapper Adam Moralee, from 32 Engineer Regiment, who died at Camp Bastion on 5 March.