-
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown - Source: Reuters -
Related
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will make a statement on
Afghanistan amid expectations he will announce a modest increase in
British troop levels.
Worsening violence in the US-led eight-year war with the Taliban
has triggered calls for a change of strategy, including the
possibility of NATO forces sending more troops to try to stabilise
larger areas of Afghanistan.
Britain has just over 9,000 troops on the ground and according to
media reports Brown will announce he is prepared to send another
500.
Troop numbers were increased from 8,300 over the summer to boost
security in the run up to a national election.
But a sharp rise in military casualties has fuelled public
dissatisfaction over Britain's involvement in a conflict that has
now cost more British troop lives than the invasion and occupation
of Iraq.
The past year has been the most deadly for British forces in
Afghanistan, with more than 50 fatalities since June, taking the
total in the eight-year conflict to 221.
Brown's spokesman said the prime minister would make his
announcement to the House of Commons at 12:30 pm local time.
"Any decisions on troop numbers ... would be subject to a number of
conditions, including that they should be properly equipped and
that we are in agreement with our other allies about what we need
to do on the ground," the spokesman said.
Critics including some senior military commanders have accused the
government of failing to provide troops with enough of the correct
equipment.
British lawmakers said on Tuesday that military vehicles and
helicopters in Afghanistan were suffering from a shortage of spare
parts, with equipment in Britain being cannibalised to fill
gaps.
The Conservatives, leading in opinion polls ahead of an election
due by next year, have said troop numbers should only be increased
to help train the Afghan army and bring forward the day that
British soldiers could return home.
Brown's spokesman said if there was an increase in troops it was
possible they would be involved in training, but not
exclusively.
There are now more than 100,000 Western troops in the war zone -
most of them American.
The United States has 65,000 troops there and is expected to raise
that figure to 68,000 later this year.
President Barack Obama is considering a recommendation to boost his
force with a further 40,000 troops next year.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would welcome more American
troops, but said the number should be determined by military
experts.
World News Video
-
Dangerous rush to Everest summit (1:59)
-
Dozens killed in Syrian massacre (2:09)
-
'King of Romance' competes in Eurovision (1:46)
