15/06/2006

More troops sent to Afghanistan

The British government is to increase the size of the contingent of troops serving in Afghanistan.

The move comes to reinforce positions around the Kandahar airfield with an extra 130 troops from the RAF Regiment.

The area is already heavily defended by a joint Nato-led operation in the vicinity of the airfield, which Defence Secretary Des Browne described as "central" to the NATO operation in southern Afghanistan.

The airfield is being used as a base for Harrier jets and a fleet of helicopters.

Around 3,300 British troops are currently deployed in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan as part of the Nato peacekeeping force that is set to be expanded from 9,000 to 17,000, which is expected to be complete by the end of July.

(SP/GB)

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