A poll for the BBC has indicated that the vast majority of the public want British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan within the next year.
Since the Taliban were ousted in 2001, 124 British soldiers have been killed, with two Royal Marines becoming the latest casualties when their convoy was hit by an explosion on Wednesday.
Defence Secretary John Hutton says it is more important than ever that the 8,000 British troops remain in the country to fight the resurgent Taliban, saying it is vital to British security and interests.
On a trip to London with President Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s foreign minister has said more international forces were needed while U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has promised to send in more U.S. troops.
Do you think British troops should stay in Afghanistan? Send us your comments.
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55 comments so far
my boyfriend is serving in afghanistan, he volunteered to go out to do his photography and should not have left the base. As soon as he got out there, he was put straight on the front line. He has had no field training at all and i am extremely concerned because his life is put at risk for no reason whatsoever!! why are they there? Pakistan provides safety for the afghans on its borders, so everytime they manage to get away. so they are fighting for no purpose, if i lose my boyfriend i will never forgive the government for putting his life at an unessecary risk!
- Posted by Samshould get out, our troops lives are being lost for nothing but for a future plan for a caspian oil pipeline and afghanistans untouched resources.
- Posted by paulbring our soldiers home i have my grandsons godfather out there and he needs to come home safe, the same as all the other husbands, wifes, sons, daughter, and grandchildren that are fighting for a relion thats not ours get them home safe please
- Posted by sharon tiveyAllthough i do not agree with the war in Iraq we cannot just pull our troops out overnight that would cause more problems than it solved
- Posted by Matt RuaneThe troops should remain as leaving the country shall fall under teh controll of a tyranous regime, why not finish a job once you have started it? Craig 24 and soon to be military officer.
- Posted by craigMy fiance is currently serving in Afghanistan, he has been there for 10 weeks. Since he has been deployed, 7 of his fellow soldiers have been killed.
- Posted by CharlotteLast Monday, Panorama showed a documentry on BBC1 explaining how much money we are spending on having our troops out there and what we are doing in attempt to make the area safe and sucure from the Taleban - Even to the extent that we paid for and installed an energy turbine THAT WILL ALSO BE SUPPLYING THE TALEBAN AREAS! And after all the millions of pounds we are spending, and the lives we have lost, for the Afghan President to say that “..numbers alone and our western ways will not save this country..” - So why, oh why are we still there!? They obviusly dont want us there, and we are losing presious loved ones in the process!
I was against the war in Afganistan . Its a war that could never be won, but to pull out now would mean all has been in vain and the lives lost for nothing. Its time to try and broker a solution by negotiation not capitulation and we need to stay there until then.
- Posted by MaggiePersonally I believe that War in Afghanistan is going to be a long war. The war could only be truly won when a strong & stable Afghan government is established. But that’s going to be at least a couple of years and it will require strong political will from the British leaders. I do admit that this war is not very beneficial to Britain itself. However, I believed that it is Britain’s duty to defend Afghanistan from the Taliban. If we just leave now, what the difference between us & imperialist powers in the colonial times. We simply cannot just invade someone else country and causes destruction. Then just leave. It would be quite unacceptable in this time and age. Though I do believe there should be more diplomatic action to end the war earlier.
- Posted by HugoWhy have we ,the americans and british become the worlds police force,there is not a conflict anywhere in the world that we are not putting our snouts in.
- Posted by foxy LeveretteBritains polititions must realise that we are not a superpower,pull in your horns boys and lets consontrate on getting things right closer to home.
If we go, Afghanistan will revert to a place where women will be uneducated and not allowed to work. Music will be banned. Shaving against the law. Little girls sold off at 9yrs old. Massive increase in the production of opium growth. All violations punishable by death. This is not Iraq, the cause is just,we gave our word and if we walk away now the credibility of the UK will disappear. Those Nato allies who have hidden behind UK,Canada,USA,Dutch et al should hang their heads in shame. Equip the soldiers well and let them get on with what they signed up for. More people are enlisting than for a long time and they know what for. What respite we would gain from walking away would be very temporary.
- Posted by stephen coleAchieving nothing - get out immediately. The war was spun as won 7 years ago - now we are bogged down with no hope of resolution - like the Brits in 19th C and the Russians in the 20th. Let the Afghans go to perdition in their own way. Its nonsense to think that this effort diminishes the terrorist risk. It is continued only to diminish the risk that we vote out those who have landed us in this quagmire.
- Posted by Peter HolttumKeep the troops in. The fight against religeous fanatacism, bigotry and ignorance must be positive and conclusive. The western governments are terrified to confront & criticise religeous zealots who heave scorn on our western way of life, yet at the same time are happy to enjoy our way of life and sponge off the British tax payer. Their fun is to murder inocents, persecute women and keep their followers mind captive. It seems ironic two days ago the memory of world war dead was celebrated with Flanders poppies and it’s Helmand poppies killing our kids. Keep the troops in, give them the best equipment and let them do their job.
- Posted by Cliff JohnsonThe free world must wake up to these religeous idiots because the outcome will be worse than a thousand Hitlers.
We didn’t have a good reason to go their in the first place.
It’s amazing how they have record drug crops since the invasion. Is this Iran Contra part 2?
Previously in Afghanistan
According to historian Alfred W. McCoy, the CIA supported various Afghan drug lords, for instance Gulbuddin Hekmatyar .[5] In particular, McCoy stated that:[6]
“In most cases, the CIA’s role involved various forms of complicity, tolerance or studied ignorance about the trade, not any direct culpability in the actual trafficking … [t]he CIA did not handle heroin, but it did provide its drug-lord allies with transport, arms, and political protection. In sum, the CIA’s role in the Southeast Asian heroin trade involved indirect complicity rather than direct culpability.”
- Posted by SimonNo-one knows Afghanistan better than the British Army. If you want to know why we are there, take a look back in history, Britain has a duty to be there, to pull-out would be a huge mistake which all of the people who think we should pull-out, would soon realise. Think before you comment!
- Posted by Andrew CThe British are not spending nothing on Afghanistans reconstruction!. They are just there for the occupation of the country.
The Afghans defeated them in 19th century 3 times
AND THIS WILL BE THE 4RD TIME. WHEN WIL THEY LEARN?
DAMN WITH OCCUPATION
- Posted by Hashemyes, because the government has consistently refused to provide new helicopters in greater numbers and the casualty rate is very high.
time to get out of there asap.
- Posted by joeyHad Britain, the USA and the rest done what the United Nations gave them sanction to do I believe the war in Afghanistan would already heve been won! Instead, after having promised huge amounts of aid for reconstruction our dinosaur politicians launched an invasion against Iraq. Ergo, the promises were not met and our troops left to do what they’ve tried hard to do with inadequate equipment and facing an increasingly disillusioned population. The solution to the drug problem… buy it all and burn it. The cost would be infinitely cheaper than the overall cost of allowing the trade to continue. As for the war… have some guts Mr Brown and force the European leaders, with whom you seem so desperate to form an alliance, to get more involved… and the Afghan government must do more than criticise and demand more troops. Stay and see it out, yes. We have no option now. But no more troops. Spend more on increasing the size and firepower of the Afghan army. It will become their problem and we need to make that sooner rather than later. And fulfill the economic promises made and as yet not kept. Be a leader Mr Brown and not a follower like your predecessor, and don’t sit back and wait for Mr Obama to take the initiative.
- Posted by Norman StobartIt is difficult to believe that the British troops are achieving any thing. They have orders to let the locals grow poppies freely to survive!No guesses who profits.The western concept to bring democracy& peace and prosperity to the country is unacceptable to the warlords who have controlled the country for centuries.The problem is further complicated by religious fanaticism and foreigners who have their own agenda of hate and mindless violence against everyone including women and children. Needless to say that the americans in their hatred of the soviets funded, supplied arms and lionised the very people they are fighting now. The chickens have come home to roost! Withdrawl with or without a political settlement is the only answer. Let the Afghans fight it out as they have done over the past millenia.
- Posted by T.R.KapurAfghanistan needs a better leader/government, one that will tackle the problems, maybe then it would be worth having our troops there, but as they seem to be doing nothing and just constantly asking for help instead of trying to help themselves it seems a waste of time having our troops there.
- Posted by lizEverybody get out of he Middle East. Leave all these countries on their own to solve their problems and keep hands off of their resources which is the sole motive of US and UK intervention and other countries as well. It is just shameless greed.
- Posted by Liliana GarciaI honestly believe the british armed forces are the best in the world. But Afghanistan is a war that cant be won. Our troops are badly let down by this government regarding equipment to get the job done. The question i would love an answer to is If we are fighting a war on terror, why are we sheltering known terrorists?. We often read of those wanted in places like Jordan and Egypt yet wont send them back as it may infringe their human rights. To make it worse they live on benefits at the tax payers expense. Wake up Mr Brown. Bring our lads home. Lets stop fighting America,s wars.
- Posted by vaughan willsIt is paramount that Afghanistans poppy fields are eradicated and stay that way. Who to do it? And why? Only the Nations whose vulnerable citizens are being targetted by the drugs produced have the right to get in there and do the job. You know it will save many more lives in the long run than pulling out and leaving the Afghans to it.
- Posted by JimboOut.
- Posted by AndyWe should commence an orderly withdrawal as soon as practicable. The money saved on funding active operations should be spent on improving and upgrading our equipment right from ‘everyday’ patrol kit (including comms) to APCs and other hardware. We should then focus 100% on our homeland security and deal with ‘transgressors’ in a manner that will send the correct message to those hell bent on destroying our island’s history and way of life.
- Posted by Paul WarryNo never! If they withdraw they never gonna be back. We shouldn’t let these guys to do nasty things. They need to behave and learn the place!
- Posted by Aarronif the troops withdraw from afganistan then all the fallen troops would have died for nothing. They said iraq was a no hope country but look at the progress the brits made there.
- Posted by joshInteresting to note that all comments are moderated, not an ideal format for serious discussion I would suggest. However to the chase. Like it or not and |I hesitate to state the obvious, Afghanistan is a country in its own right with the same aspirations for its territorial integrity as any other. No foreign intervention favouring one element against another is moral. Do I hear ghosts from the past? Divide and rule! This benighted country has been the forum for foreign intervention down the centuries, it does seem to attract the most undesirable elements, both domestic and foreign. The Taliban are quite obviously, well at least to some, a nightmare. Wwhat twisted logic systematically denies an education to females? But the present occupation of Afghanistan along with all outside interventions has nothing to do with the interests of its people. It is its strategic location but there we go, stupid me I thought eveybody new that.
- Posted by Tess D'UrbervilleOut Now
- Posted by Paul WilliamsI recently saw an email of an American Armoured Hummvee it had hit a roadside bomb an had its engine and front wheels blown off and was in a bit of a mess. The eight American armoured troops sitting in the rear and middle of the vehicle all walked away uninjured, followed very shortly by the driver who had to disengage himself from a very bent steering wheel, all lived and marvelled at the following vehicle’s video account of this attack.
- Posted by Jake.The moral of this for young British lads, join an Army that gives its troops the gear to do the job and thats not the British Army, sad to say.Look at William and Harry what a couple of wimps, ahh but they are Royals,yep and if my Granma had wheels instead of legs she’d have been a waggon.
Maybe Hutton should spend some of the money he’s squandering in Afghanistan by taking out full page adverts in British newspapers to tell us precisely what it is that is “vital” to our security and interests.
“Winning hearts and minds” and all that rubbish?
- Posted by JasonWhy stay when no one throughout history as succeded in this country.
- Posted by atoNuke em
- Posted by nickWhy has the media spun this war as a campaign that can be won.
History shows that no modern gorilla war ( with a exception of one ) has been won.
This fact is especially strong when the people you are fighting are arguably the most ferocious fighters in the world.
this war will not be won, it may take decades to hammer this fact home and hundreds of more brit lives,
- Posted by dajusReading the comments here there seems to be a bias towards withdrawl, although many of those voicing their opinions are doing so for thoroughly reactionary or even uneducated reasoning. Yes the US supplied the Afgans in their stuggle against the invasion by the Soviet Union, who unlike the current deployment of NATO troops were there illegally and uninvited, suppressing the local population much like they are doing now in Chechnya. The big mistake was to abandon the Afgan’s after the Russians were repulsed rather than aiding and supporting the subsequent leaders; this allowed the Teleban to take over and impose their extreme views. The problem with the current situation is that the only countries willing to intervene and help people living under the rule of dictators and cruel regimes are the Western democracies, and where-ever they go they attract the hatred of Islamic extremists from all over the globe. They in turn are armed by nations who stand opposed to the freedoms abdicated by the West, such as Iran, North Korea and even China. Its all very well people sitting behind their PC’s and writing into these ‘Have your Say’ style commentaries, but until you actually go to these places and/or do some better research you have no authority to voice your blinkered views. For those other cynics out there, there is no oil in Afganistan. Control of the poppy fields does impact on western city streets; surely we need to find ways of allowing these poppy growers to sell their produce to drugs companies rather than drug pushers.
- Posted by IanYes troops shoud leave Afghanistan, they should not have been there in the first place, no troops from any country should be there. The reason of 2001 World Trade Center attacks is a spin story and does not wash (1) None of the 18 hijackers named by the FBI came from Afghanistan, they came from Saudi Arabia and Egypt (2) No evidence has ever been shown by government (have you seen any ?) that Afghanistan or anyone in that country was involved. So why are there troops there ?
- Posted by John GerrardWithdrawl or not? This question has been raised soo many times it comes to a point where it is no longer funny. (Not to say it was funny to begin with, but its just a rhetorical statement) The truth is, withdrawing troops is neccessary, but it is easier said than done. TO massively and immediately withdrawl all troops all in one batch, can be tatically unadvisable. Not to mention it would be strategically diastrous. I cannot simply say how that can be, for it would take too long to report on. I advise asking any military official or officer or any well learned veterans in Iraq/Afghanistan. Apologies for cutting this short.
- Posted by ChangNO! Afganistan is IMPORTANT! Many UK people do not realise how important this question is. I say to these people;- Look at history, look at Global development concerning resource development and political distribution. If you do not understand Global Politics, do not comment or you condemn the World to oblivion! Think before you comment!
- Posted by Andrew CIN!…IN….IN! Forget the plebs that have no idea of global politics, unless they want to become underdogs, that is!
- Posted by Andrew CYeh! That’s right, sit on your fat B**ckside and pretend that it does not effect you! Withdraw troops, forget it ever happened! When you are sinking in your chair wishing that we had only stood up for ourselve’s, it will then be too late! If you do not understand why…Do Not Comment! If you understand Global Politics and why USA, UK and UN are fighting… Then comment to show the ignorant idiots they are wrong!
- Posted by Andrew Cyes they should be kept
- Posted by amitThe Troops should all be brought home–they are out there fighting having been sent by a government that cannot, ney, refuses, to even identify the ideology that is causing the trouble
- Posted by tommyknow your enemy before you commit
Look at Iraq–fighting for democracy only to find they don’t want a democracy just sharia
Bring in compulsory military service for MPs
The troops should never have been sent out there, gross incompetence on our Governments part
It time the UK stopped following the US around and sort out its own economic and domestic problems
Bring these young men back home, before we loose any more lives, and I suggest we think twice about sending troops to another country
- Posted by SinghThe special relationship between Great Britain and our US ally would be at risk if we were to withdraw our brave troops from Afghanistan.
- Posted by marcoRecently Gordon Brown sent a message to pesident elect Barrack Obama stating that Britain is not prepared to commit any more troops as we are already somewhat overstretched. Barack Obama wants Britain to commit more troops and he wants France to send in their troops but the French seem reluctant to obey. Britain will continue to be an American puppet regime and don’t even think about protesting like a bunch of pacifist cowards.
To even consider bring troops out of Afghanistan is a idiotic concept.
Problem is the UK is full of experts in nothing, Afghanistan is NOT a Iraq. It is a justifiable conflict which in part has a major affect in global security. The Taliban has a effect on every citizen in ever town in every country of the world.
Secondly, retreating from such conflict would aid the fundamentalists belief that they are winning by terror. I have lost very very close friends and family and I still stand by what I believe is true.
Please educate yourself about the conflict before casting aspersions.
- Posted by StackaHaving served in the British army for 15 years I am sorry to see that we are again in an overseas conflict where our troops are being killed daily. Whilst the army is under the control of politicians and not the army commanders there will never be a satisfactory end to our ‘WAR’. I am very proud of our troops and they way they conduct themselves in a conflict that is never going to be put to rest. We should remember that before our invasion of Afghanistan we had spent years in training and the arming of the people to fight the invading army of the Soviet Union, now we are the invading army.
- Posted by GlynWe have only just had our remembrance day and we have moved ‘nowhere’ we are still in a war and troops are still being killed. The main reference to the remembrance service is ‘least we forget’.
Until we can have a time of peace, we have forgotten all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who will continue to make that sacrifice.
Let the politicians who put us unto conflict be the one to fight the battles and there would be NO wars again.
I guess this has been asked a dozen times before but,,,,,, What are we doing there?? surley there are good enough reasons already to get out now.. The French have tried , so have we a century ago ( at the cost of many lives) and even the Russians were badly defeated. We must stop meddling. There surly are no valid reasons why good hounerable servicemen and women should be put in the line of fire. Is there anything that comes out of Afhganistan apart for the opium. Or, is it that we , the britsh are the main users and buyers??? It seems to get onto the streets in the uk easier than prescrption medication. Can that be acceptable..
- Posted by roy oaten8,000 troops? The question should be when will Britian deploy their share. We know the French are wimps and don’t expect help from them or Germany, but I would think Britian understands what will happen if the everyone withdraws. The U.S. will not withdraw and will finish the job once again. When will Europe realize that being passive and sticking your head in the sand only gives the enemy time to build up and get stronger.
- Posted by Bryan Stewartyes i agree bring our boys home, theres been to many deaths, we will never win
- Posted by DiWe are there to prevent Al-Qaeda flourish with a safe haven by the Taliban.
We are also there by request of the Afgan government as part of a UN force. This is a worthy cause, no oil, no minerals. But to prevent terrorism from being harboured in the country.
If we don’t restrain the Taliban now we will never. Also if we pull out now, the devastation and human toll to the Afgahn people will on a major scale, and we will have let them down for no good reason other than we are running scared!
Things like this will happen every day http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_a sia/7747621.stm
That will mean our Soldiers and can I add Aid workers will have died for nothing. You may be able to turn your back in fear…but I and many fellow soldiers will not.
We went to do a job, a UN job….and we will not give up and lot our people give there lives for nothing.
- Posted by StackaNo we must not leave. However, do feel that our troops need to have the best equipment for the work they have to do. This includes more helicoptors, better transport - including armour - and total tax exemption while in the field plus the best medical and health care upon their return to the UK - any treatment they require needs to be given the highest priority without regard to cost or the needs of ordinary NHS clients.
Our nation has a job to finish and no matter how long it takes finish we must but let us ensure that our troops are the best equiped and best supported.
- Posted by Keith GormanI think our brave boys should come home, why are they fighting a war they can never win?
- Posted by VirginiaAlexander the Great left Afghanistan
- Posted by Sid HolderThe Romans left Afghanistan
The British Empire left Afghanistan
The USSR left Afghanistan
George Bush didn’t
Learn !
Oil is involved in the Afghan invasion. There is oil in the old ’stans of the USSR. To get it to a deep water Pacific port a pipeline through Afghanistan is the only way. This is the only reason Obama is wanting to increase troops.
As long ago as the 90’s Unocal was duchessing the Taliban in Texas. However, the Taliban could not guarantee the safety of the pipeline. So the Taliban had to go. This is an ongoing struggle of the US to safeguard their oil interests in the region. They can’t sell to Russia or Europe. Their only market in that area is the Pacific rim.
There are three reasons why UK and Australian troops are deployed in Afghanistan, oil, oil and oil!!!
- Posted by LorraineTrain the Iraqi security forces to support themselves and get out of Iraq. Provide them with air cover and logistics if required. Afghanistan is a different story. Its geography requires a strong presence of international troops in order to mop up weapons and convince warlords to align with the Kabul government. Continuous air support should be provided and the requested number of troops should be deployed. Aid the government with civil constructions of roads and bridges which will enable ground level communication. This will also employ locals who otherwise have to turn to the Taliban for employment.
- Posted by MaheshI think all the british troops should all come home from afghanistan because it is making even more trouble them being out there, they shouldnt of even went there in the first place.Please bring them back they have been there to long now. I wish there was no wars anymore and all the men/ladys would come home safe to there familys they have done more than enough for us!They deserve more than that!!!!
- Posted by georgia