Britain may pull out of Afghanistan by 2013
December 14th, 2011 - 7:48 pm ICT by IANS
London, Dec 14 (IANS) British troops may be pulled out of Afghanistan in 2013, a year earlier than scheduled, according to a plan being studied by Prime Minister David Cameron.
This “surprise option” has been laid out by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, The Sun reported Wednesday.
Cameron Tuesday chaired a National Security Council meeting to look at ways for Britain to end its stay in the conflict-hit country.
Under the new option, up to 7,000 military personnel would start coming home by 2013, with as few as 2,000 staying for a supervisory role during 2014.
Despite protests from top defence officials, Cameron is “adamant” that only a few hundred British combat troops must be left in Afghanistan by 2015. At present, there are 9,500.
Hammond said the plan would “save a fortune” for the ministry of defence.
However, defence chiefs fear that pulling out before the country’s own forces are ready to take control would deliver the province back to the Taliban.
A final decision on withdrawal will be made in March, once US President Barack Obama outlines America’s pullout plans.
- Cameron visits British troops in Afghanistan - Dec 20, 2011
- Britain considers early withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan - Dec 10, 2011
- Britain to end Afghan combat role next year - Mar 13, 2012
- Germany unsure of Afghan withdrawal in 2014: Merkel - Mar 12, 2012
- Russia concerned over US plans to keep Afghan bases - Apr 20, 2012
- British troops in Afghanistan to get new equipment - Dec 23, 2011
- Spain to pull out from Afghanistan - Jan 17, 2012
- Six British soldiers feared killed in Afghanistan blast - Mar 07, 2012
- Britain, Afghanistan sign partnership agreement - Jan 29, 2012
- Americans back faster Afghan withdrawal: Poll - Mar 15, 2012
- Britain eyes Afghanistan transit routes - Mar 02, 2012
- 'Re-abandoning Afghanistan not an option' - Jan 16, 2012
- US army to ask Obama to slow down Afghan withdrawal - Aug 13, 2010
- India seeks more talks with US on Afghan withdrawal - May 31, 2012
- US to end Afghan combat operations in 2013 - Feb 03, 2012
Tags: barack obama, british troops, combat troops, coming home, david cameron, defence chiefs, defence officials, defence secretary, final decision, military personnel, minister david, ministry of defence, national security council, new option, philip hammond, prime minister, protests, pullout, supervisory role, taliban