US asks British troops’ help in Afghanistan
July 15th, 2011 - 6:55 pm ICT by IANS
London, July 15 (IANS) The US commander in Afghanistan has asked Britain to take over a Taliban hotbed - dubbed the “valley of death” - in Afghanistan as American forces will soon be withdrawn, a media report said.
The Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand province is one of the most dangerous areas in the country, The Sun reported.
The US currently has a force of about 800 marines in place in the valley.
US commander General David Petraeus made the request to British forces to take over the area.
Officials said the prime minister’s office and the ministry of defence initially opposed the request. But Defence Secretary Liam Fox has now reportedly “warmed to the idea”.
US President Barack Obama recently announced that 30,000 American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan.
British Prime Minister David Cameron had also announced that 500 troops will be brought home from Afghanistan next year.
At least a 100-strong company of British troops are expected to be deployed in the Afghan valley.
The move would be “common sense and efficient”. “It would allow the US to concentrate elsewhere,” a defence ministry official said.
Another official said: “American troops cleared the area of Taliban and are now holding it. The Brits would be required to maintain the gains, so it would mean less troops - but it is not a nice place to be.”
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- British forces hand over restive Afghan district to US - Sep 20, 2010
- US, NATO forces able to halt Taliban gains around Kabul: Petraeus - Mar 09, 2011
- Special forces winning battle against Taliban insurgents: US, UK commanders - Mar 16, 2011
- UK war effort in Helmand branded 'utter failure' by US, Afghanistan: Wikileaks - Dec 03, 2010
- 20 Taliban killed in Afghanistan - Apr 24, 2012
- 10 Afghans, 80 Taliban killed as Petraeus takes command (Roundup) - Jul 04, 2010
- Stressed mid-level Taliban reluctant to taking orders from Pak-based leaders - Feb 22, 2011
- Gen. Petraeus Asserts That The Taliban Still Possesses The Advantage In Some Districts Of Afghanistan - Aug 31, 2010
- British commanders want tanks to fight Taliban' - Dec 20, 2010
- US "well-positioned" to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July: Gates - Mar 08, 2011
- British troops hand over Sangin to US forces in Afghanistan - Sep 20, 2010
- Gen. Petraeus says Afghan mission made impressive progress despite highest coalition death toll in 2010 - Jan 26, 2011
- US may reposition instead of "withdrawing" troops from Afghanistan: NATO official - Sep 08, 2010
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