Operation Pitting saw more than 15,000 people airlifted to safety across just over a fortnight (Picture: MOD).

Afghanistan

Op Pitting: Johnson 'proud' of UK action a year on

One year since the final members of UK military and diplomatic personnel left Afghanistan and Operation Pitting came to an end, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is "proud" of British efforts.

Two decades of engagement in Afghanistan by British troops ended on 28 August, 2021 when the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War finished.

Op Pitting saw more than 1,000 troops, diplomats, and officials dispatched to Afghanistan to rescue UK nationals and Afghan allies after the seizure of the country's capital by the Taliban.

While the UK's political strategy and preparedness surrounding Kabul's collapse continue to get criticism, troops received praise for their efforts which saw more than 15,000 people airlifted to safety across just over a fortnight.

The Taliban rapidly reclaimed power in Afghanistan after US President Joe Biden announced the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks would mark the exit of American and, subsequently, allied troops from the country.

Approximately 2,000 Afghans who helped British forces remain stranded in Afghanistan, and Forces News has spoken to those who feel action should have been taken sooner.

Marking one year on from the conclusion of the mission, Mr Johnson said the Armed Forces and diplomatic teams "responded with courage, professionalism and compassion" in the face of "extreme conditions".

"Our commitment, however, did not end here," he added.

Watch: Escape from Kabul: Story of British military's Afghanistan evacuation mission.

"Since April last year, 11,300 Afghans have been resettled in the UK through bespoke visa schemes set up for them.

"Our diplomatic teams have also been working unceasingly with global partners to provide life-saving aid and ensure the Taliban adhere to the commitments they made, including the protection of women and girls.

"I know the challenges are huge, with widespread poverty and girls denied their right to an education, but we will stand by the people of Afghanistan."

The Prime Minister went on: "I am incredibly proud of everything that our public servants did during those two weeks in August 2021, the outstanding service of our Armed Forces and our Afghan partners throughout the past two decades and the continuing work of the UK in helping Afghans achieve the peace and security they rightly deserve."

Earlier this month, the head of the British military at the time of Op Pitting told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme the fall of Afghanistan was down to a "failure of political will" as part of a "wider malaise".

General (retired) Sir Nick Carter, who served as Chief of the Defence Staff from 2018 until November 2021, said "there was too much assumption that the best case would happen rather than the worst case".

"What has materialised in Afghanistan was not the outcome that we spent 20 years fighting for," he added.

More than 21,000 people have been brought to safety to the UK from Afghanistan so far, according to Government figures released in recent weeks.

That includes British nationals and their families, Afghans who worked for the UK, and people identified as high risk, such as women's rights campaigners, journalists and members of the LGBT+ community.