UK troops to step aside for Americans in Helmand district
UK troops to step aside for Americans in Helmand district
Thursday, 11, Mar 2010 04:24
By Alex Steger.
British forces are set to hand over responsibility for part of volatile Helmand province in Afghanistan to US troops in the coming weeks.
The handover of security powers for Musa Qala district comes as a result of a surge in the number of US troops deployed in Afghanistan.
The move, described by defence secretary Bob Ainsworth as the "next logical step", means that British troops can be redeployed in other parts of Helmand.
Musa Qala was captured by Nato in 2006 before being handed back to tribal leaders in a peace deal, however the Taliban regained control of the area forcing it to be recaptured in late 2007.
Primarily due to the uplift in US forces, as announced by Barack Obama in December 2009, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) troop numbers in Helmand province have risen from around 7,700 to over 20,000.
The ministry of defence has said that most UK troops will be redeployed from Musa Qala to central Helmand, the most heavily populated area of the province, where the majority of UK troops are already based.
The decision was taken by the Isaf's top commander in Afghanistan, US General Stanley McChrystal, after consulting with Britain's General Nick Carter.
Over the period in which British forces have been responsible for security in Musa Qala 23 British service personnel have lost their lives in the district.
Mr Ainsworth said: "Through their professionalism and courage, and that of their colleagues, insurgent activity in the district centre has been contained, the authority of the legitimate Afghan government has been reinforced, and there has been steady progress on governance and development, especially in the last twelve months, as the daily lives of its citizens have been improved.
"While responsibility for security will now transfer to US forces, the UK will remain committed to building on the progress of development through the ongoing activities of the UK-led Helmand provincial reconstruction team in Musa Qala."