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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 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 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. |