KABUL, April 23: Coalition troops must continue war against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in Afghanistan to prevent their return to power, Britain’s visiting defence secretary said on Sunday.
John Reid also suggested that British troops should remain in Afghanistan, particularly in Helmand, the most dangerous province, for at least another three years.
“We would be perfectly happy to leave in three years time without firing one shot because our mission is reconstruction (of Afghanistan),” Reid said during a press conference in Kabul.
Taliban militants have increased bombings and firing across Afghanistan, particularly in southern provinces like Helmand and Kandahar, where four Canadian soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb blast on Saturday.
“The greatest danger for the people of Afghanistan and the people of the United Kingdom would be if Afghanistan ever again comes under the rule of Taliban who are prepared to protect Al Qaeda or terrorist groups,” Reid said.
“I think it is no secret that Helmand province is a more difficult area than either the north or the west,” he said.
Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said his troops are “proud to partner” British forces in southern Afghanistan to help “bring security and stability to that region.”
Wardak said Helmand is a geographically significant region where militant activity “impacts” on neighbouring provinces.
“That is why Helmand is one of the provinces which is troubled and we do hope that with the presence of British forces, the security situation will change and improve,” he told reporters.
More than 3,000 British troops are operating in former Taliban strongholds across southern Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led force currently numbering about 10,000.
That number is to increase to about 21,000 by November as NATO gradually assumes command of all international troops in Afghanistan.
Three British soldiers were wounded in an April 10 explosion while patrolling in Helmand, the first attack on British forces since they began a NATO peacekeeping mission in the region in early 2006.
Taliban rebels have vowed to increase attacks against US, British and other forces during summer months.—AP