UK not yet planning to increase troop numbers

The UK will reconsider how its military resources are deployed in Afghanistan but Michael Fallon is not yet mulling an increase in troops like Trump, a senior defense source said on Tuesday.

It was premature to talk about raising the level of military personnel in Afghanistan and no direct requests had been made by the US, despite Trump’s suggestion that Nato countries should follow his lead, the Guardian quoted a statement by the source as saying.

However, Trump’s decision to send more troops will put pressure on Nato countries including Britain to bolster their military presence in the country.

Secretary of State for Defense Fallon welcomed the US commitment in Afghanistan without announcing the UK would follow a similar path.

“In my call with US Defense Secretary James Mattis yesterday we agreed that despite the challenges, we have to stay the course in Afghanistan to help build up its fragile democracy and reduce the terrorist threat to the west,” Fallon said.

Britain announced earlier a 10% increase in military advisers to help train Afghan forces which will lead to an extra 85 troops being sent to join a base of about 500 still in the country.

Nato has 12,000 troops in Afghanistan and 15 countries have pledged more.

Source : Mena