UK troops’ return to Afghan frontline urged

KABUL (Pajhwok): To thwart a possible Taliban takeover, British forces must return to the frontline in Afghanistan, say two former defence ministers.

Ex-Commando Johnny Mercer and Commons defence committee chairman Tobias Ellwood are making a pitch for the UK to rethink its pullout from the country.

Call for air support from Afghan forces on the ground should not go unanswered, they stressed, saying the UK had aircraft all over the Middle East.

Ellwood told Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government to show international leadership, according to the newspaper.

He remarked: “The accelerated withdrawal of Western troops from Afghanistan while the Taliban are rampant is the biggest foreign affairs own goal of this century.”

Over 450 British troops laid down their lives while fighting against Taliban and other militants in Afghanistan. More than 2,000 were wounded.

PAN Monitor/mud

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