Published Date:
11 July 2009
THE head of Britain's armed forces insisted that the Taleban was "losing" the fight in Afghanistan as he responded to the bloodiest 24 hours for ground troops since operations began.
Eight troops have died in the period, bringing the total who have been killed in the country since 2001 to 184, surpassing the death toll of 179 in Iraq.
Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup sent his condolences to the bereaved families, but said it was important to "remember why our people are fighting in Afghanistan and what they are achieving through their sacrifice and their courage".
He said: "It's tough going because the Taleban have rightly identified Helmand as their vital ground.
"But they are losing and our commanders on the ground are very clear on that."
Yesterday five British troops from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles died in two separate blasts on the same patrol near Sangin, and another UK soldier from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment died near Nad-e-Ali.
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Last Updated:
11 July 2009 11:05 AM
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Source:
Edinburgh Evening News
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Afghanistan
