'More British Troops Should Be Pledged To Afghanistan', Says Former Armed Forces Chief

A former Chief of the Defence Staff has suggested that more British troops should be pledged to Afghanistan, echoing comments made last year.

Speaking to Sky News, General Lord Richards said the UK should assist the US to tackle the Taliban in the form of air and logistical support. He said:

"I think we should be much more involved in the support role."

"The sort of things that the Americans are asking of us, we should be prepared to step up to the mark on.

"I think it's time to just remember that the Afghan people have fought a war on our behalf, to prevent terrorism from striking us, with us, and we owe them something in return and [should] not give up just because it's not going very well."

For two years until 2008, General Lord Richards commanded NATO forces in Afghanistan, and earlier this month, he told Forces News that he blamed politicians for some of what he called "the stupidities" in Afghanistan in the past.

The former CDS told Sky News:

"That initial campaign was stunning in its simplicity and its success."

"In under two months, the Taliban were gone.

“If you're looking for models for future generations of soldiers to look at, I think that's got to be one of them."

In 2018, the majority of the 600 troops still in Afghanistan are working in training roles.