London, Nov.30 (ANI): British pessimism over Afghanistan is demoralising soldiers, say the country’s commanders

Britain is at serious risk of losing its way in Afghanistan because rising defeatism at home is demoralising the troops on the front line, military commanders have warned.

High-ranking officers, including a former commander of the SAS, have expressed deep concern that the country is in danger of “talking ourselves into a defeat back home” as the war reaches a critical stage.

They say there is “surprise and disappointment” among members of the forces at the constant pessimism in the UK over the conflict, and what looks like a lack of appreciation for what they are achieving at great personal risk and in extremely difficult circumstances. Such is the level of concern about the impact of this “negativity” that a number of senior officers have now taken the step of publicly speaking out, The Independent reports.

They have told The Independent that, in their view, the British people are not getting a true picture of what is going on, and that any loss of public support as a result of this will have highly damaging consequences for the campaign.

There is also anxiety that the Taliban will step up their attacks and attempt to kill more members of the forces in order to create further anxiety at home, fuelling calls for troops to be pulled out.

Lieutenant-General Sir Graeme Lamb, a former SAS commander who has been brought in to play a key role in Nato’s new Afghan strategy, said: “We must be wary of talking ourselves into a defeat back home. We hear people saying the fight isn’t worth it. Does that mean all the sacrifices which have been made, the deaths and the injuries have been for nothing?

“The troops do not think that is the case - they are stating that belief by what they are doing every day in a dangerous situation. They are the men and women in the arena, and they are certainly not giving up,” he added.(ANI)