London (PA Media/dpa) – Britain is not abandoning its commitment to Afghanistan, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted, as he signalled the end of the UK’s 20-year military mission in the country.
In a Commons statement, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the “valour and sacrifice” of the British troops who had served in the long struggle against the Taliban.
He said that most of the remaining 750 UK military trainers with the NATO Mission had already left the country.
The move follows the announcement in April by President Joe Biden that he would withdraw the remaining US forces by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in September, effectively ending international military involvement in Afghanistan.
With fears that the departure of foreign troops could lead to a Taliban takeover, Mr Johnson said the UK would continue to support the government of President Ashraf Ghani with over 100 million pounds in development aid and 58 million pounds for the Afghan security forces.
“We are not about to turn away nor are we under any illusions about the perils of today’s situation and what may lie ahead,” he told MPs.
“We shall use every diplomatic and humanitarian lever to support Afghanistan’s development and stability.