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UK to bring home last troops from Afghanistan ‘in next few days’ despite rampaging Taliban seizing third of country

2021-07-03 00:00:00.0 太阳报-世界新闻原网页

THE UK is expected to bring the last of its regular troops home from Afghanistan this weekend - despite the Taliban continuing to run rampant across the war-torn country.

It will mark the end of Britain's role in the 20-year conflict, with US and NATO soldiers also withdrawing as the terror group ups its campaign after seizing control of a third of Afghanistan.

Taliban militants are ramping up their campaign to control Afghanistan Credit: AFP 4

The last of Britain's troops in the war-torn country are expected to leave in the next few days Credit: AFP

The last of the UK's 750 troops, which are part of a NATO training mission, are expected to be brought home "in the next few days", defence sources reportedly told the Guardian.

Military insiders reportedly suggested to the paper that British forces were due out by Sunday, July 4.

The RAF has rescheduled flights to complete the evacuation, it's reported, and most of the 750 soldiers have already left.

The British flag at Hamid Katzai international airport has been lowered, but the Ministry of Defence has said there will be no public or formal ceremony as the final troops depart.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to make a statement to parliament next week to outline the country's future diplomatic stance towards Afghanistan.

A handful of soldiers may be kept in Kabul to guard the British embassy.

During combat operations between 2001 and 2014, more than 450 British troops and civilians were killed during the fight against the Taliban.

In the years since, the UK has aided the NATO-led Resolute Support troop training mission for Afghan forces.

It comes as resurgent Taliban forces seized hundreds of trucks, armoured vehicles and artillery from Afghan security forces — which had been left by departing American forces.

An investigation of imagery posted on social media concludes that in the month of June alone the militants captured 700 vehicles which now will be used in their bid to regain power after being toppled by America's 2001 invasion.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has said it "welcomes and supports" the decision by the US and NATO to withdraw.

The last US forces today left Afghanistan's Bagram airfield after two decades in the region.

Officials said the HQ was the epicentre of the US war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

The withdrawal comes amid fears that American troops risk leaving behind a nation on the verge of disaster.

Taliban forces were first overthrown in 2001 following a US invasion - but since US President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw, the group has now gone on to seize one third of Afghanistan.

And further offensives are expected throughout the summer with warnings the jihadi forces could take the capital of Kabul within six months.

It is being described by concerned US intelligence officials as "the greatest jihadist victory since the Soviets quit in 1989".

The Taliban now have control of a third of Afghanistan and are set to conquer more Credit: AP

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former commander joint forces command, told The Times that Afghanistanis at "grave risk of collapse".

He said: "We might argue that much more money, many more soldiers and a lot more time could have helped Afghanistan settle into a peaceful, modernising state — but that is academic: we are walking away from fighting for it."

Meanwhile, US General Scott Miller has warned the country is on the verge of "civil war" as Taliban militants have seized more than one third of Afghanistan.

"That should be a concern to the world," said General Miller.

And it is feared the nation could become a new haven for terrorist forces wanting to strike out against the West, with The Sun Online revealing concerns new training camps could be operational by September.

Professor Anthony Glees, from the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham, said the Taliban are now "back with a vengeance".

But the most immediate impacts may be on the people of Afghanistan.