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UK's Afghanistan war effort to be honoured in service UK's Afghanistan war effort to be honoured in service
(35 minutes later)
The Queen and many veterans will attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral later to commemorate the end of British involvement in the war in Afghanistan.The Queen and many veterans will attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral later to commemorate the end of British involvement in the war in Afghanistan.
The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron are among those expected to attend the ceremony, ahead of a procession through London.The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron are among those expected to attend the ceremony, ahead of a procession through London.
A simultaneous service will be held in Afghanistan for troops still there.A simultaneous service will be held in Afghanistan for troops still there.
Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has paid tribute to the 453 UK troops who died fighting in the country.Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has paid tribute to the 453 UK troops who died fighting in the country.
Mr Ghani said they had "paid the ultimate sacrifice to enable us to live in freedom, in hope for peace, prosperity and dignity".Mr Ghani said they had "paid the ultimate sacrifice to enable us to live in freedom, in hope for peace, prosperity and dignity".
The Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry - who served two tours during the conflict - will also attend the ceremony, held to mark the end of combat operations in the country.The Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry - who served two tours during the conflict - will also attend the ceremony, held to mark the end of combat operations in the country.
UK forces were part of a US-led coalition which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the ruling Taliban in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks in the US. Similar services will also be held at military bases and churches across the UK, as well as in Germany.
'Great honour''Great honour'
Anne Linley's son, Staff Sgt Brett Linley, was 29 when he was killed as he worked to clear improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2010.Anne Linley's son, Staff Sgt Brett Linley, was 29 when he was killed as he worked to clear improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2010.
He defused more than 100 bombs and posthumously received the George Medal for "great bravery".He defused more than 100 bombs and posthumously received the George Medal for "great bravery".
Mrs Linley said it would be a "great honour" to be at St Paul's along with members of the Royal Family and other soldiers' parents.Mrs Linley said it would be a "great honour" to be at St Paul's along with members of the Royal Family and other soldiers' parents.
"I'm looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time because you don't know what kind of emotions it will bring forward," she said."I'm looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time because you don't know what kind of emotions it will bring forward," she said.
Speaking about her son, she said: "I miss him all day long... we carry him in our hearts and always will."Speaking about her son, she said: "I miss him all day long... we carry him in our hearts and always will."
A new interim government was set up in December 2001 - but the Taliban kept fighting and has killed thousands of foreign and Afghan government troops over the years since the invasion. UK forces were part of a US-led coalition which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the ruling Taliban in 2001.
The Taliban remains a powerful force in the country, and declared the "defeat" of the US and its allies when Nato formally ended its combat mission in December. At the peak of the 13-year campaign the UK military, which faced regular Taliban attacks, had 9,500 troops and 137 bases in Helmand Province.
The UK ended its operations in October, while Nato finished its mission in December.
Former prime minister Tony Blair said he was convinced that sending troops into Afghanistan had been the correct decision.
In an interview with Forces TV, Mr Blair said: "I always felt that it was right and justified that we were there in Afghanistan, that we were fighting both to remove the Taliban and then to try and stabilise the country.
"But there is nothing that's really possible to say that could provide true consolation for the family of someone who has lost their life."
'Hard to take''Hard to take'
At the peak of the campaign the UK military, which faced regular Taliban attacks, had 9,500 troops and 137 bases in Helmand Province.
Former soldier Craig Gadd, now of Help for Heroes, lost his left leg after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.Former soldier Craig Gadd, now of Help for Heroes, lost his left leg after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
He said: "Things happen. I feel very lucky that I only lost one leg. Some of my colleagues have injuries far worse than mine. I've done some amazing things since that day."He said: "Things happen. I feel very lucky that I only lost one leg. Some of my colleagues have injuries far worse than mine. I've done some amazing things since that day."
Private James Prosser was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. His mother Sarah Adams told the Today programme that the country had not been left as safe as was intended.Private James Prosser was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. His mother Sarah Adams told the Today programme that the country had not been left as safe as was intended.
"James believed in what he was doing, and I have to try to accept that, that he wanted to do that and believed he should be there. But as a mum, it's very difficult."James believed in what he was doing, and I have to try to accept that, that he wanted to do that and believed he should be there. But as a mum, it's very difficult.
"It's just very hard to take that we didn't leave it as we were supposed to leave it. We did achieve a lot but we didn't make it the safest place and it's still ongoing. Afghan people are still losing their lives because of the Taliban.""It's just very hard to take that we didn't leave it as we were supposed to leave it. We did achieve a lot but we didn't make it the safest place and it's still ongoing. Afghan people are still losing their lives because of the Taliban."
Lance Corporal James Ashworth was killed in 2012 and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His father Duane Ashworth said he believed the situation in Afghanistan has improved following the military action there.Lance Corporal James Ashworth was killed in 2012 and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His father Duane Ashworth said he believed the situation in Afghanistan has improved following the military action there.
"I do believe that the country is in a better position than it was when we first arrived 13 years ago. It's now for the forces that are there to continue that training with the Afghan forces and police, to make sure what our lads did does continue.""I do believe that the country is in a better position than it was when we first arrived 13 years ago. It's now for the forces that are there to continue that training with the Afghan forces and police, to make sure what our lads did does continue."
Karzai 'clash'Karzai 'clash'
The last British combat troops left in October last year, though some still remain in training, advisory and support roles. Some British combat troops still remain in Afghanistan in training, advisory and support roles.
As well as paying tribute to Britain's war dead, President Ghani spoke of the enduring legacy of the UK's commitment at the British-run officer training academy near Kabul.As well as paying tribute to Britain's war dead, President Ghani spoke of the enduring legacy of the UK's commitment at the British-run officer training academy near Kabul.
BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn said: "President Ghani's tribute contrasts strongly with complaints by his predecessor President Karzai, who said that the British presence had made things worse in Helmand and frequently clashed with British diplomats and soldiers about their role.BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn said: "President Ghani's tribute contrasts strongly with complaints by his predecessor President Karzai, who said that the British presence had made things worse in Helmand and frequently clashed with British diplomats and soldiers about their role.
"The new government in Afghanistan sees things very differently.""The new government in Afghanistan sees things very differently."
Do you plan to attend the service to commemorate the end of the war at St Paul's Cathedral today? Will you go to the procession after the service? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you plan to attend the service to commemorate the end of the war at St Paul's Cathedral today? Will you go to the procession after the service? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
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