Last British troops in Afghanistan due to fly home within days as allied ...

Last British troops in Afghanistan due to fly home within days as allied ...
Last British troops in Afghanistan due to fly home within days as allied ...

The last British troops in Afghanistan are to leave 'within days' after American forces brought forward their withdrawal date to mark US Independence Day.

More than 200 Black Watch soldiers will fly home, ending the UK's 20-year deployment which started after 9/11.

Before leaving they will take part in a flag-lowering ceremony alongside US forces to honour the 456 British troops killed there since the campaign began.

Thousands of British personnel have also been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured.

The UK's ambassador Sir Laurie Bristow is expected to attend the event in Kabul. He is staying on in Afghanistan after the troops have left.

The last British troops in Afghanistan are to leave 'within days' after American forces brought forward their withdrawal date to mark US Independence Day. Pictured: M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, during operation against Taliban forces in Barikyu, Nothern Helmand Province of Afghanistan

The last British troops in Afghanistan are to leave 'within days' after American forces brought forward their withdrawal date to mark US Independence Day. Pictured: M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, during operation against Taliban forces in Barikyu, Nothern Helmand Province of Afghanistan

Their departure follows the pull-out of Italian and German troops this week. Other Nato countries have been bringing their forces home over the past month.

US President Joe Biden had set the 20th anniversary of the Twin Towers attack on September 11 as the deadline to bring all American troops home but military officials said yesterday the date had been brought forward to this weekend.

The withdrawal of the Black Watch – the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots) – comes after intelligence reports suggested the Taliban could depose Afghanistan's elected government within months.

Commenting on the loss of districts around the country to the Taliban, America's top general there, Austin Miller, said: 'A civil war is certainly a path that can be visualised if this continues… and that should be of concern to the world.'

The Taliban's resurgence, which has included attacks against civilians, is a matter of grave danger for hundreds of interpreters who helped British forces but are still stuck in Afghanistan.

The last Union flag of Great Britain flying above the skies of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is lowered by Captain Matthew Clark and Warrant Officer 1 John Lilley to be returned to the UK

The last Union flag of Great Britain flying above the skies of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is lowered by Captain Matthew Clark and Warrant Officer 1 John Lilley to be returned to the UK

The Daily

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