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The UK effort in Afghanistan
What we are doing in Afghanistan
The UK is militarily engaged in Afghanistan because the country had become a base for terrorists that threatened Britain and the rest of the world. The Taliban gave al Qaeda safe haven in Afghanistan, which allowed terrorists to plan and carry out attacks around the world, including the atrocities of 11 September 2001.
The al Qaeda training camps and the Taliban regime that protected them were removed from Afghanistan in the months after 9/11 and the presence of international forces prevents them from returning, but Afghanistan is not yet strong enough to look after its own security.
The United Nations authorised international military intervention led by NATO, because terrorism is a security threat we all share. More than 60 countries, including NATO and non-NATO members, are working with the Government of Afghanistan to establish stability; 50 nations provide troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, to which the UK is the second largest troop contributor.
The UK Government wants Afghanistan to become a stable and secure state that is able to suppress terrorism and violent extremism itself. The reason our troops and civilians are working with the Government of Afghanistan is simple – to protect our own national security by helping Afghans take control of theirs.
The deployment of troops is one of the most difficult decisions a Government can make. We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have lost their lives in Afghanistan working to protect our national security.
Despite the many challenges, there has been considerable progress in Afghanistan since 2001 and the effectiveness of the Afghan National Security Forces is continuously improving. The Prime Minister has said that by the end of 2014 there will not be anything like the number of British troops in Afghanistan as there are now and they will not be serving in a combat role.
Speaking to Parliament on 6 July 2011, the Prime Minister said:
"We remain committed to the objective shared by President Karzai and the whole of NATO that the Afghans should assume lead security responsibility across the whole country by the end of 2014... This is the commitment I have made – and that is the commitment we will stick to... This decision is not only right for Britain. It is right for Afghanistan too."
The UK will continue to have a major strategic relationship with Afghanistan long after 2014. This long term commitment was reiterated by the Foreign Secretary, speaking from the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn on 5 December 2011:
"We will not abandon Afghanistan: the sacrifices made over the last ten years have not been made in vain... Afghanistan’s friends will continue to support her long after international combat troops have left the country.”
Afghanistan: Progress reports
Read monthly progress reports and quarterly progress updates published by the FCO, in conjuction with Department for International Development and the Ministry Of Defence.
UN Mandate
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is a political mission established at the request of the Government to assist it and the people of Afghanistan in laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development.
