Afghanistan Withdrawal of UK Forces 2021-05-24
2021-05-24
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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NATO confirmed a withdrawal timeline for UK and other NATO forces in Afghanistan.
What is the timetable for the withdrawal of UK forces from Afghanistan? NATO Foreign and Defence Ministers confirmed on 14 April that an orderly and co-ordinated withdrawal of NATO forces would start on 1 May, and we have met that timeline. The withdrawal of Resolute Support Mission forces from Afghanistan will be complete within a few months.
NATO Foreign and Defence Ministers confirmed on 14 April that an orderly and co-ordinated withdrawal of NATO forces would start on 1 May, and we have met that timeline. The withdrawal of Resolute Support Mission forces from Afghanistan will be complete within a few months. The UK's Operation Toral forms part of the RSM and, as such, we will draw it down in line with what our NATO allies and partners are doing.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The UK is withdrawing NATO forces from Afghanistan.
After the withdrawal, what assistance will we afford the Afghan security forces? The Afghan forces have been fully responsible for the security of Afghanistan since 2015. The UK has an enduring commitment to Afghanistan and plans to continue providing financial sustainment support until at least 2024.
The Afghan forces have been fully responsible for the security of Afghanistan since 2015, and I want to place on record my admiration for their remarkable resilience and courage in meeting the challenges they face. The UK has an enduring commitment to Afghanistan. We plan to continue providing financial sustainment support until at least 2024.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Operation Herrick, the UK's military operation in Afghanistan, cost £28 billion and resulted in over 450 UK military deaths. There has been no inquiry to date.
We must understand what went wrong with Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. Please let us have an inquiry into this costly and deadly operation. Examples include why did Donald Rumsfeld exclude the Taliban from first peace talks in December 2001?
I hear my right hon. Friend's requests—I know he has recently written a letter to the Prime Minister making that request. First, there is a stark difference between Iraq and Afghanistan; the article 5 triggering of that deployment and the causes behind it were not in doubt. Secondly, as Chairman of the Select Committee on Defence, he obviously has significant capabilities and powers to bring forward an inquiry if that is what he wishes.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for a formal inquiry into Operation Herrick was not directly addressed.
Part Of My Right Hon. Friend'S Salvation Is In His Own Hands
Government Are Reflecting On The Letter And Do Not Think There Is A Need For The Same Type Of Inquiry
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The Taliban are on the rise in Afghanistan and a civil war is looming.
Will the Government take steps, in conjunction with US and NATO allies, to find a new strategy to deter Taliban and protect Afghanistan after full withdrawal of land forces? The current peace agreement does not have conditions-based measures. Will the UK look at alternative strategies?
My right hon. Friend makes a very pertinent point and a very real suggestion. We will explore all options that we can to make sure that we protect not only Britain's interests and citizens, but her allies. We are also protected by international law in doing what we need to do to defend ourselves if a threat emanates from Afghanistan or any other country.
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Assessment & feedback
The specifics of new deterrence strategies were not provided.
We Will Explore All Options
Protected By International Law
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