Britain in talks to send up to 100 more troops to Afghanistan

Britain is in talks with NATO allies to send up to 100 more soldiers to Afghanistan amid concern that a resurgent Taliban are retaking large parts of the country, The Telegraph reported.

Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, on Thursday met Afghan leaders on a surprise visit to Kabul as heavy fighting has again swept areas of Helmand where British troops spent years building local security forces.

Defense sources confirmed the Government is considering increasing its deployment to Afghanistan for the first time since 2010, after American calls for allies to shoulder more of the burden propping up Kabul’s forces.

The deployment of 50 to 100 extra soldiers is expected to add to the British garrison of 450 in the capital, and risks the UK being drawn back into a conflict which has already claimed 454 British lives.

American commanders have asked allies including Britain to send more troops, as part of their own arguments to stop Barack Obama pulling out US forces. A British increase in Kabul would free up US forces to operate elsewhere in the country.

Source ; MENA