UK Troops to Leave Afghanistan by September

It is expected that the final UK troops are to leave Afghanistan by September, at the same time as US forces.

Recent announcements stated that US troops are set to pull out of Afghanistan by 11 September. It now looks likely that the UK will follow suit and leave at the same time as well.

The UK military has been in Afghanistan since 2001. Over this time, more than 450 British troops have died during conflict with the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

In 2014, UK combat troops left Afghanistan. Although around 750 stayed in the country as part of the Nato mission to train Afghan forces.

Nato has said on many occasions that its members will leave together. From the start, the principle established was: “In together, adapt together and out together.”

The Ministry of Defence must consult other partners before any changes to the UK presence can be made. It need to be in agreement with US and Nato allies. The department is working closely with its allies “to support a secure and stable Afghanistan”.

in addition, “the Taliban must engage meaningfully in a dialogue with the Afghan government,” for there to be any chance of peace lasting.

Everyone will work together closely in the coming months “on a safe, deliberate and co-ordinated withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan”.

Agreeing a Deal

US President Joe Biden is set to make an official announcement that American troops will leave Afghanistan by 11 September. This date coincides with the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in 2001. Although the new deadline is four months later than a prior agreement the Trump administration made in a deal with the Taliban.

Along with most Nato allies, the UK relies on the US’s infrastructure, logistics and support in Afghanistan.

As part of a 9,600-strong Nato mission, the US has around 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. At the height of the war, Nato had over 130,000 troops from 50 nations in the country.

Mir Rahman Rahmani, the speaker of the Afghan parliament, warns that withdrawing foreign forces in the current circumstances will lead to civil war.

The US and the Taliban struck up a deal at the beginning of last year that would see the US and Nato allies withdraw all troops within 14 months, providing the Taliban upheld its promises. These promises included not allowing al-Qaeda or other militants to operate in areas it controlled. They also had to cooperate with national peace talks.

Although the group did stop attacks on international forces as part of the agreement, it continues to fight the Afghan government.

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