February 10, 2023
2 mins read

‘Afghan withdrawal a dark chapter for Britain’

The department estimates there are around 300 eligible Afghans plus their families whom it is still trying to locate to bring back to the UK…reports Asian Lite News

The UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan was “a dark chapter” for the UK, senior Conservative Tobias Ellwood has said.

The Defence Committee, led by Mr Ellwood, is urging the government to hold an “honest” inquiry into the UK’s departure from Afghanistan, which led to the return of the Taliban to power.

The MPs’ report warns the country is again becoming a haven for terrorists.

They also say thousands of people eligible for evacuation to the UK are still living at risk in Afghanistan.

Responding to the report, the government said it worked “tirelessly to safely evacuate as many people out of Afghanistan as possible”.

The Ministry of Defence spokesperson added: “We owe a debt of gratitude to Afghan citizens who worked for, or with, the UK armed forces in Afghanistan and to date we have relocated over 12,100 individuals under the scheme.”

The department estimates there are around 300 eligible Afghans plus their families whom it is still trying to locate to bring back to the UK.

It added it would respond fully to the MPs’ report in due course.

In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, US-led troops – including British forces – invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban government.

Twenty years later, America and its allies pulled out of the country leading to the sudden collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and the resurgence of the Taliban.

Britain’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan cost nearly £30bn and the lives of 457 British military personnel.

Ellwood, chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee, describes the UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021 as “a dark chapter in UK military history” – not just for the troops who served there, but also for those Afghans who helped them.

His committee’s 30-page report argues the speed at which the Afghan government fell was “a greater surprise to the military establishment than it might have been”.

The report calls for an “open, honest and detailed review” of the decisions made by the UK during its time in Afghanistan.

While the MPs praise the evacuation effort in 2021 – which saw 15,000 people bought to the UK – they also say the plans should have been better prepared.

They argue a lack of effective co-operation has led to “real and painful human consequences for those who reasonably expected to be evacuated but were not”.

Several thousand Afghans eligible for relocation are still stranded and should be flown back to the UK for their own safety, the MPs say.

Ellwood welcomed funding for veterans and praised British troops who served in Afghanistan. “The bravery of those on the ground was never in doubt,” he said.

ALSO READ-Britain faces largest ever healthcare strike

Previous Story

Biden invites Nepal PM for conference

Next Story

20 years later, Senate eyes repeal of Iraq war authorization

Latest from -Top News

No Deal: EU Holds Line on China Sanctions

EU stated the sanctions were a response to involvement in “serious human rights violations in China…reports Asian Lite News The European Union has decided not to lift sanctions imposed on Chinese officials

India Slams BBC Over Pahalgam Coverage

Several social media users pointed out that the BBC’s headline appeared misleading, giving the impression as if “India killed the tourists.”…reports Asian Lite News India has written to a leading British public

Financial Turmoil Grips Bangladesh

The crisis emerged with the political transition after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following a violent uprising last year….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh is grappling with an economic crisis

Hamas Meets Turkish FM Over Gaza Crisis

The delegation briefed Hakan on the latest developments regarding the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the delegation’s recent visit to Cairo….reports Asian Lite News A Hamas delegation met with Turkish Foreign
Go toTop

Don't Miss

3 from Britain missing after boat catches fire in Red Sea

All of those who had been rescued were said to

Britain issued maximum number of visas to Indians in 2022

The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis praised the