UK commits more resources to Afghanistan

The UK has pledged additional manpower and specialist equipment for its forces operating in Afghanistan, while calling on coalition partners in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to do their "fair share" in the campaign.

In a statement to the House of Commons on 14 October, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would offer an additional 500 troops, but only if certain key criteria were met. These included a greater intent from the Afghanistan government to "bring along Afghan National Security Forces [ANSF] to train and fight alongside UK forces"; a requirement for all British reinforcements to be fully equipped; and for unnamed coalition nations to become more involved.

Brown's requests were made on advice received from the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, and commanders on the ground, he stressed. Currently, there are around 9,000 British military personnel deployed in Afghanistan.

The prime minister's comments come at a time when US President Barack Obama is contemplating reinforcing US operations in Afghanistan with an extra 40,000 troops.