Comment: Not including contractors and other personnel .
Mr Heappey, who completed two tours the country, spoke of his first reaction to news that international troops will withdraw later this year: Like every other Afghanistan veteran when I heard of NATO s decision last week,
I couldn t help but ask myself was it all worth it?
He did, however, insist that he hopes there is a successful political outcome in Afghanistan,
telling MPs it is almost certain that a lasting peace settlement will involve the Taliban as part of the Afghan government .
Defence Select Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood warned that Afghanistan is heading towards another civil war with the Taliban on the rise.
(Last Updated On: April 21, 2021)
The UK and its allies “reserve the right” to launch new military action in Afghanistan should international terrorism thrive, the British government has said.
According to the UK’s Forces news outlet, defence minister James Heappey has left the door open for military action should “ungoverned spaces” return which pose a threat to the UK homeland or the interests of allies, as well as the option of providing air support to Afghan forces.
Heappey also suggested a review will be carried out into Britain’s military involvement in the country.
Around 750 UK personnel are currently in the country in a non-combat role, as part of a NATO mission, but are expected to withdraw, along with all other foreign troops by Sepember 11.
(Last Updated On: April 21, 2021)
Turkey, Qatar and the United Nations officially announced the postponement of the planned Istanbul Conference scheduled from april 24 to May 4.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the three co-hosts said: “In view of recent developments, and after extensive consultations with the parties, it has been agreed to postpone the conference to a later date when conditions for making meaningful progress would be more favorable.
“Turkey, Qatar and the United Nations will resolutely continue their earnest efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan,” the statement read.
The co-hosts had planned the conference with the participation of the representatives of the Afghan Republic and the Taliban to add momentum to the negotiations that started in Doha last September to achieve a just and lasting peace in Afghanistan, read the statement.
UK ‘reserves the right’ to launch new military action in Afghanistan
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April 21, 2021
LONDON: Britain and its Nato allies “reserve the right” to launch fresh military action should international terrorism flourish again in Afghanistan, according to the Government.
Defence minister James Heappey left the door open for military action should “ungoverned spaces” return which pose a threat to the UK homeland or the interests of allies, as well as the option of providing air support to Afghan forces. But the army veteran stressed he hoped there is a successful political outcome in Afghanistan, telling MPs it is “almost certain” that a lasting peace settlement will “involve the Taliban as part of the Afghan government”.
Britain and its Nato allies “reserve the right” to launch fresh military action should international terrorism flourish again in Afghanistan, according to the Government.
Defence minister James Heappey left the door open for military action should “ungoverned spaces” return which pose a threat to the UK homeland or the interests of allies, as well as the option of providing air support to Afghan forces.
But the army veteran stressed he hoped there is a successful political outcome in Afghanistan, telling MPs it is “almost certain” that a lasting peace settlement will “involve the Taliban as part of the Afghan government”.