This morning’s broadcast headlines focus on flooding in Cumbria, and reports that fresh troops and supplies have arrived in Sangin to give support to the Afghan forces in the town besieged by Taliban militants. There is also coverage of Russia’s airstrikes in Syria following a report from Amnesty International.
AFGHANISTAN
There is continued widespread coverage that the UK has deployed 10 British troops as part of a NATO force that will provide advice and training to the Afghan National Army in Helmand Province.
They are not deployed in a combat role and will not deploy outside the camp. In total the UK has around 450 troops in Afghanistan mentoring and supporting the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces and the Afghan Security Ministries.
The Guardian says that the 10 British troops, part of a 300-strong NATO force, are based at Camp Shorabak, about 50 miles from Sangin. The report carries our line reassuring that the soldiers will remain inside the camp providing advice and infantry training.
The Daily Mail reports on Lord Dannatt’s warnings that the Government must think ‘long and hard’ about any expansion of the UK’s military role.
The Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Telegraph carry stories on the families of troops killed or maimed in Helmand speaking of their sense of waste after the Taliban overrun the district that more than 100 British soldiers and marines died trying to stabilise. In contrast, The Sun reports on comments made by Colonel Richard Kemp who says combat troops must be sent back to Helmand. He says the UK should be prepared to send 'significant numbers of Special Forces, combat troops, and air power'
The Daily Telegraph carries a comment article by Con Coughlin stating that the return of The Taliban is a setback not a failure.
The Mirror carries a speculative story that British Special Forces are to help direct an air campaign. They suggest that a handful of Special Boat Service commandos are part of a US-led force sent to Helmand which is being overrun by the resurgent Taliban. The Ministry of Defence does not comment on Special Forces.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
As part of the UK’s ongoing contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission, a small number of non-combat UK advisers have deployed to Camp Shorabak in Helmand Province.
It is important that, as part of NATO, we support the Afghan National Army and Security Forces as they take the lead in protecting their people and country.
BRITISH DRAWDOWN
The Times reports that Military commanders advised David Cameron to keep three times as many troops in Afghanistan as planned before Britain’s drawdown from Helmand last year, amid concerns that Afghan forces would struggle against the Taliban.
A No10 spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister was clear that the drawdown of troops would be based on military advice, the conditions and security situation and the pace of transition. The UK, with the US, NATO and other allies, worked closely with the Afghan army on the transition which was entirely consistent with this approach.
DAESH
The Sun reports that RAF jets have launched airstrikes as part of an offensive to re-take the city of Ramadi in Iraq. They support Iraqi ground forces, and suggest that insiders say they engaged in bombing. The Daily Telegraph suggest that Daesh lost 14% of the territory claimed in the course of this year, indicating that the group became overstretched as it sought to expand and hold on to its existing territory. The report goes on to say that Iraq's army claim to be on the verge of its biggest victory against Daesh, as troops fight their way into the centre of Ramadi. The offensive is being led by the army’s elite counter-terrorism force, supported by air strikes launched by the US Air Force and its allies.
Read more about the UK’s contribution to the offensive against Daesh in Ramadi here.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Pupils at Grasmere Primary School invited personnel from 21 Engineer Regiment to lunch so they could show their gratitude for the efforts being made by the military, alongside Cumbria County Council, to clear the A591.
Pictured: Personnel from 21 Engineer Regiment receive bacon rolls, tea and cake from children from Grasmere Primary School.
Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC; Crown Copyright
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