-

THERE is nothing to indicate we should be reducing our commitment in Afghanistan. The level of violence is still extremely high.

If this withdrawal is being done for purely political reasons, I would question the judgment of anyone who would do that.

If our troops are reduced, the message is sent both to the people of Afghanistan, who we are still trying to win over, and to the Taliban. If we're not around for the long term it seriously undermines the progress we've made.

It is said the troops being withdrawn are support troops, not combat troops. But we're either leaving combat troops with inadequate support, or we didn't need that number there in the first place.

PM: 450 troops to withdraw from Afghanistan

By TOM NEWTON DUNN, Political Editor, and VIRGINIA WHEELER

Published: Today

Add a comment (16)

DAVID Cameron yesterday announced the start of Britain's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The PM revealed the first 450 troops will be brought home this year.
But the move is bitterly opposed by military chiefs, who claim it risks throwing away the gains made by British forces.
Colonel Stuart Tootal, ex-commander of 3 Para, said: "We should only get out when the job is done properly.

Promise ... PM David Cameron

"We are on the right track, but if we take our foot off the gas now, we risk all the success and investment we have achieved so far."
Mr Cameron's order fulfils a long-standing promise to President Barack Obama to bring the war to an end in step with the US. And the announcement comes just days before the President's visit to Britain next week.
Mr Cameron yesterday told MPs: "There will be around 400 troops, perhaps slightly more, coming out of Afghanistan in the coming year."
In a bid to soften the blow, he added: "Our enduring force level remains at 9,500. I'm sure the Americans understand that it's less than the reductions they are planning."
The MoD insisted that none of the troops coming home early will be infantry stationed in Helmand. Instead, most will come from the RAF Regiment defending Kandahar airfield and the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps at Nato's HQ in Kabul.
An MoD spokesman said: "These were time-limited, task-specific roles which have now come to an end."
Afghanistan will be top of the list of subjects at President Obama's talks with the PM. The President was also opposed by his generals when he vowed to start bringing home some of America's 90,000 troops from July.

t.newtondunn@the-sun.co.uk