Nato agrees to send more troops to Afghanistan but not in combat roles
Nato ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over frontline duties to the Afghan military
Two years after winding down its military operation in Afghanistan, Nato has agreed to send more troops to the war-ravaged country to help train and work alongside the Afghan security forces.
The move comes in response to a request from Nato commanders to provide around 3,000 troops.
Speaking ahead of Nato defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels Thursday, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that “15 nations have already pledged additional contributions” and that he expected more pledges later in the day.
Britain has said that it would contribute just under 100 troops in a non-combat role.
“We’re in it for the long haul. It’s a democracy. It’s asked for our help and it’s important that Europe responds,” British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said.
“Transnational terror groups operate in Afghanistan, are a threat to us in Western Europe.”
European allies and Canada are waiting to hear what US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis will offer, or indeed seek from them.