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More troops die in Afghanistan in blackest week yet
Joe Murphy and Nicholas Cecil10.07.09
A surge in deaths of British soldiers in Afghanistan today sparked a wave of criticism of the Government's military strategy.
Two more fatalities were confirmed early this morning as Gordon Brown braced Britain for more deaths during the fierce battles now raging daily with the Taliban. The Prime Minister said: “This is a very hard summer. It's not over.”
The full scale of the bloodshed in Afghanistan was emerging as the bodies of five soldiers killed in the past few days were flown home.
Nine soldiers have died in as many days and Afghanistan is on the brink of becoming a more bloody campaign for the British military than the Iraq war.
As of this morning the death toll so far in Afghanistan stands at 178 troops or civilians serving with the military, compared with 179 in Iraq.
The grim news contrasts with the optimism voiced by the then defence secretary John Reid in 2006 when, on the deployment of more British troops, he said: “We hope we will leave Afghanistan without firing a single shot.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “These fine British soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice and their memory will live with us forever.
“We mourn their loss and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this very sad time. We know that their deaths were not in vain.”
Former defence secretary Michael Portillo told the Standard: “There has always been a mismatch between the objectives set for our troops and political willpower. The politicians have never committed enough troops or enough equipment to the fight.”
Mr Portillo added: “At the moment I think we should be patient to see what is the outcome of the present Allied assault, and in particular what effect the American surge in troop numbers will have.”
The Prime Minister defended the Government's handling of the conflict and said more helicopters were being provided. Speaking at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, he said: “The last 10 days have been extraordinarily difficult for our forces in Afghanistan.”
After speaking to US President Barack Obama and Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Mr Brown added: “This is a very hard summer. It's not over. But it's vital that the international community sees through its commitment.”
Insisting that the war against the Taliban was vital to stop al Qaeda regrouping in Afghanistan, Mr Brown added: “People in Britain are safer because of the courageous sacrifices of British soldiers.”
Former shadow defence secretary John Maples said the Afghan mission had become too ambitious.
“I am starting to have serious doubts about the wisdom and winnability of the war in Afghanistan,” he said. “The task has grown from helping development agencies to trying to create a democracy. It is mission creep.”
Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the Defence Staff, attacked the Treasury under Gordon Brown for failing to provide the military with more funding.
The Ministry of Defence announced this morning that a soldier from the 4th Battalion The Rifles was killed yesterday in an explosion while on foot patrol in Helmand province. A second soldier from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment died from gunshot wounds after a fight with insurgents.
Next of kin has been informed.
Reader views (33)
As the British have a history of creating conflict
I didn't support the invasion but now i think
they should stay until Afghanistan is safer than Dubai.
- Daniel, London
The usual defeatist rent-a-crowd are out in force. We should support our brave troops instead of acting like treacherous fifth columnists. Get real - we have to play our part in NATO. Support the brave troops against the defeatists within and the terrorists without.
- Adam, london, UK
I am tired of the constant referencing of all wars to the Vietnam conflict. In Iraq, the US Army (with the help of the coalition) defeated an insurgency...something that has only happened once before when the British defeated the CTs (Communist Terrorists)in Malaya. Afghanistan cannot be allowed to fall back into the hands of the Taliban and Al Queda.......I think NATO are quite capable of executing a successful counter terrorism strategy
- Bill Heard, Los Angeles USA
Obama is in Ghana. Why Ghana? 600M barrels of OIL is to be found in Ghana, not in his granny's village in Kenya! British troops are dying because of Blair. Didn't Blair together with Bush deceived the world to invade Iraq? Didn't they deceived the world to invade Afghanistan? This time for a natural gas pipe-line from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan? Were they 'looking' for Osama? If so, why Dr. Terry Callaway 'treated' Osama in the American Hospital in Dubai? They are still 'looking' for Osama and can't find him! He may well living happily in a Washington penthouse! Now the new 'change, change' man is doing the dirty work for the Establishment, going to Ghana to the OIL for US companies! Why is Labour acting as lackey to the Big Bro - U.S.?
Why should British mothers have to cry for Blair's mistakes and this un-elected Gordon Brown's mistakes, especially for Miliband's mistakes?
Whys should Afghan and Iraqi mothers have to cry for 'Condy' special, now Hilary word ' collateral damage'?
How many had died in Iraq and Afghanistan since the invasions on both sides? How many are IDPs in their own country?
Shouldn't there be a general election and get rid of these jokers?
- Deshapria, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Afghanistan etc.-when will leaders,both U.S and U.K. look deep into the past to understand the future.4000years,it has been the same-we cannot alter that fact-get out and,first,solve our own tremendous problems.
- Peter Howard-Burke, Coupeville,Wash.,-U.S.A.
I successfully fought against the Communists in the 1970's and won. Our kill to loss ratio was 12,000 to 750, plus unaccounted for sundries we got well over 100 for each brother we lost. Each time we lost a buddy we re- doubled our efforts. The Russians and Cubans lefts Africa broken and dead. Afghanistan is harder but the nut can be cracked, modern technology is incredible. As a young platoon commander I had no GPS!...think about it!
Go you good Brit boys, I wish I was 30 years younger coz I reckon I would be there with you. As a qualified grade 1 sniper I am sure I would lighten the load!
- James Ritchie, Oyster bay, Ny, USA
What was the war about WMD or osama bin ladin no WMD and no osama just aload of dead people. Lets sort our own country out first....
How many dead so far in total include Iraq and afganistan...and what have we acheived??
- Ali, leicestershire
We will remember them, Lest we forget.
Yes we will certainly do that, The point is ,
Will They ? The people of Afghanistan and the USA.
Reading about and seeing the scenes of the people of Wooton Basset lining their street to pay Homage to our 'boys'as they are brought home is a very emotional moment,
It is not orchestrated it is a very portent example of what the Brit's are all about. I salute them too.
In conclusion may I ask,
"What the Hell are we doing there at all.?"
- Syrme, Brisbane Australia
To wipe out terrorism - Consult the Sri Lankan President
- Prashan Fernando, Colombo, Sri Lanka
The UK has a critical shortage of diamorphine - a medical opiate used for pain relief after operations - yet the opium crops of Afghan farmers are destroyed forcing them to turn to the Taliban for an income. The Taliban then derives an income from drug smuggling, creating heroine addicts which have to apply to the Government to help them with controlled access to the drug. Isn't that a little bit mad . . . ?
One of the big disgraces of the pointless Iraq war - Saddam, as a secularist, had as much trouble with the Taliban as everyone else - is the way it has detracted from the important effort in Afghanistan. Whilst I believe in 'cutting your losses' if necessary, this attitude will render all the young lives lost there completely pointless. There needs to be better publicity about the objectives of the campaign; more intelligent solutions to the problem; public condemnation of the shoddy kit our soldiers are sent with; debate about the disproportionate burden of dangerous operations left to the British (the rest of Afghanistan, where the Dutch and Germans are, is safe) and pride in our heroes. Ultimately they died doing their job, which most of them love, and sadly the only way to maintain a top army for sudden deployment in a war closer to home is to hone its skills in war zones like Afghanistan.
I'd like to see a list of the cost of the kit for a soldier directly related to an MP's expenses list: that's really relevant and shaming.
- Roz, France
Will the politicians never learn when it comes to a war. To actually win you have to have clear reasons for going in, and even more importantly a real plan for how the war is to be fought, and finally an exit strategy. Besides all that you make sure that you have overwhelming manpower, and the very best equipment available for the locale. Seemingly none of the Cretins in the government have the slightest idea of the way to win a war, short of just giving meaningless platitudes that accomplish nothing. As other have said in their posts, "They should go and do some real soldiering", although of course they are too scared to actually think that they might get killed.
Shame on them, they are a useless bunch.
- Mikey, Crossville, Tennessee. USA
Firstly my heartfelt condolences to all those families who have lost loved one,s because of this engineered war.
Why dont we rename the defence ministry the war ministry it would seem to be more appropriate.
Just what are we doing there other than pandering to the yanks
and as far as the so called EU is concerned,how many of their soldiers do we see coming back in coffins,I would suggest not a lot so much for the laughable union,its every man for himself.
Our Primementalist now seems to be getting worried that the
electorate is now sitting up and asking questions.
He does,nt need to worry by this time next year him and his ragbag government and party will be history and will collapse.
Of course he will have a legacy as the worst chancellor and prime minister this country has ever seen.
- Roy, wigan
Gordon Brown, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth, and all thier 'Fellow Travellers' in Nues Liarbore are an extreme disgrace. Mr Brown and Pals have NO understanding of the UK Armed Forces. Mr Brown is a disgrace, the worst Prime Minsister ever.
I say this as an Ex Regular Soldier, now retired. Afghanistan will be another 'Vietnam' for the NATo, US and Uk Military Coalition Forces. History tells us that Afghansitan has never been fully conquered. Although the action there is mainly Peackeeping and clearing out the Taliban.
This will never happen, 20 or more years of Soviet actions there eventually had to be wound down. the same will happen of the UK. The UK Military just does not have the numbers to sustain a large garrison in Helmand or elswhere in that benighted country.
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK
Why do we have nuclear weapons, and never use them against our enemies?
If the terrorists had nuclear weapons they would use them against every free society on the planet, in order that they rule the world their way etc.
If the Europeans and Americans are free nations, it is because they fought over centuries for that freedom; nobody else fought their battles for them etc.
If Afghans, and other countries people want to be free, give them the arms to fight for their own freedom on equal terms with the fanatics that want to dominate them.
If we fight all their battles for them, they won’t fight their own battles ever.
We should be concerned with our own national security; and that means taking on the fanatics that are living within our midst, any other threats from outside, can be solved fast with nuclear weapons, if we are not prepared to use them, they why bother having them?
You cannot be kind to those that want you dead; but you can fight them, like for like.
- Mickinlondon, london.
General Election now, smash Labour's welfare-jockey politics, either invest in the right kit or get out.
- Jamal Akhbar, Edinburgh
Most wise leaders would trust,listen and implement the advice of their experts in the field.To make do and mend has always been a British tradition which some how has been allowed to continue for far too long.Out of sight...you all know the rest!Lastly an 'expert' Defense Minister is a must,not some half baked politian who has never even been in the Armed Forces,but someone who has experienced the frustrations of short sighted politians and lack of equipment,but we have been saying that since Dunkirk!!
- Tithonus, Athens Greece
Pull out. Priorities lie in this country not fighting a war that has nothing to do with the UK. Afghanistan has it's problems, let it resolve things by itself.
- Dom, London
Stop this obsenity, bring them back now.
Enough is enough. We have no business being over there whatever lame reasons are given.
- John Smith, London , England
This disgraced Labour government spend money on lots of silly policies quangos, failed computer projects, and money unlimited for refugees whether geuine or not.
When it comes to our service men and women Labour cut back and do not provide them with the eqipment they need to do the job safely.
In every war there will be deaths, but we have deaths because of poor quality vechiles and uniforms and equipment.
Shame on this Labour government Shame on them.
- P Mc Crossan, Birmingham
The truth of the matter is that when you send troops into war you should provide them with the correct equipment for the war. The vehicles they use are not made for this kind of war. How long will it take government to give the soldiers the correct vehicles. It does not have to be developed but can be purchased from a country that is/was geared for a similar war.
I can think of for argument sake a vehicle used by South African soldiers called the Ratel. It is powered by a Rolls engine and gives the troops all the protection they need. It is robust, can handle rough terrain with enough fire power to fight a this kind war. The government should just purchase some and save the lives of the troops.
- Cas, London
We all know that this conflict should've been sorted in 2002/3 and that each life lost since then has been both an unnecessary loss and pointless in the extreme. Browns' voice trembled because it's his hands that carry the blood of the innocent and the dead soldiers. Shame on him, shame.
- Bobby Smith, london
Send them the choppers they need you can get them off the shelf from the americans. Military top brass to busy creeping around polictians to look after their men. should be ashamed of themselves, more civis in the MOD than combat personnel, crazy labour pc creeps.
- Rob, Rock Ferry Wirral
Tony Blair sent our young people to fight wars without the right equipment. Gordon Brown is no better. Their sons are not involved, so why should they care. If Afghanistan is a threat to our security, bring the troops back to protect us here and don't let extremists set foot in this country. Deport all those who incite violence, whether they will be 'safe' or not. The government's priority should be the safety of the British people.
- Beatriz, London
I think all children of elected MP's, once they reach 18, must enlist into the armed forced for 3 years of active service. This will ensure that we do not get involved with unnecessary wars around the world as I am sure when their kids lives are at risk they will have a different outlook on matters. I would also like to see a report of how many MPs have children serving in the armed forces, and as another poster wrote, I'm sure the spineless Labour party have the fewest, if any at all. Please media, lets see the results of this.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
Does it mean that British forces have taken on a larger share of the fighting or the aerea where they are fighting is far more dangerous or both?
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy
it may not be our vietnam, but it is very near our 1984, or animal farm;
'war is war, the only good human is a dead one.'
'war is peace. freedom is slavery. ignorance is strength.'
'who controls the past controls...the future;who controls the present controls the past.'
'the quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.'
'to a surprising extentthe war-lords in shining armour, the apostles of the martial virtues, tend not to die fighting when the time comes. history is full of ignominious getaways by the great and famous.'
WHEN WILL THE COMMON MAN LEARN NOT TO TRUST OUR 'LEADERS' ?
- M.O'Brien, london.uk
I would be interested to know how many Mps, Ministers and offspring have served in the armed forces. On the Labour side - not very many. This might expalin the funding problems
- Jeremy E, Home Counties
It has always been clear that this latest campaign, with a major increase in US personnel, is going to be very bloody but intended to make major in-roads into Taliban territory. There will be more loss of British troops yet. We are just seeing the beginning of it.
The objective is to rid the world of the Taliban, to shut down vast drug manufacture operations and to reduce the supply of terrorist networks. It is a valiant effort to secure greater peace in the region in the long run, but many British soldiers will die yet in support of that aim. The last thing they want is public opinion that damages their aim of taking the Taliban out.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs
Bring our troops home now. Why should our troops die in a war the majority of us didn't want; which is nothing to do with us; and let's be honest, the moment all the troops leave, they'll be at each others throats again. I can understand it if its worthwhile, but the loss of these lives just isn't worth it. If you want to send people out there to fight, send all the low lives who think its cool to strut around with knives and kill innocent bystanders.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
I would be happier if the troops had the right equipment.Might help if prudence done a tour with the troops.
- Shallotman, Basildon
No jobs at home for young people? Send them away to get murdered in a far away land.
It is an old,old story.
- Jimfred, Londo
Bring them home. The regular killing of civilians by the trigger happy Americans has alienated the Afghani population. The idea that tribal Afghanistan can be turned into a Western-style state is a delusion. There is no popular support for this war, which is a drain on the public purse.
- Jo, London
What is our objective in Afghanistan? How will we know when it has been achieved? This is beginning to look more and more like the UK's Vietnam. Tony Blair has gone - we don't have to keep pandering to the US. Let's get out now with some shred of dignity before we sacrifice any more lives.
- Tom Williams, Oxford UK
