NEWS IN BRIEF
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EUROPE
10 Jul 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 have risen to 184, of whom 153 were killed as a result of hostile action. As confirmed by the MoD (10 Jul 09), the most recent fatalities are:-
* A Lance Corporal from The Light Dragoons and a Private from 2nd Bn The Mercian Regiment were killed on 4 Jul 09, in separate incidents while taking part in OP PANCHAI PALANG (Panther’s Claw) North of Lashkar Gah.
* A Lance Corporal from 1st Bn Welsh Guards was killed on 5 Jul 09, while on patrol in Bahaji as part of OP PANCHAI PALANG.
* A Captain from 22 Engineer Regiment died on 6 Jul 09 in a helicopter crash in Zabul Province.
* A Trooper from The Light Dragoons was killed on 7 Jul 09 while taking part in OP PANCHAI PALANG near Gereshk.
* A soldier from 4th Bn The Rifles and a soldier from The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment were killed on 9 Jul 09 in separate incidents; the former near Nad e-Ali and the latter near Lashkar Gah.
* A soldier from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment was killed on 10 Jul 09 in an explosion near Nad e-Ali.
* Five soldiers from 2nd Bn The Rifles were killed on 10 Jul 09 in two explosions near Sangin.
From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Jun 09, 673 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 2,125 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 10 Jul 09.) From 1 to 15 Jun 09 the figures were 23 and 62.
The Operation to clear the Taliban from an area North of Lashkar Gah (OP PANCHAI PALANG) involves 3,000 soldiers from Task Force Helmand, in addition to the recently-arrived US Forces. British troops include Battle Groups from: The Light Dragoons, Welsh Guards and 3rd Bn The Royal Regiment of Scotland. (MoD, 6 Jul 09.)
The endorsed Force level for UK military Operations in Afghanistan is 8,300, which is being increased temporarily to 9,000 during the Afghan election period. (Ministerial Answer (MA), 6 Jul 09.)
Danish Military Reservists are to take over the running of the Camp Bastion Field Hospital on 20 Jul 09, from 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital. (MoD, 8 Jul 09.)
“Due to the way that the threat has evolved since 2006, it is the intention to withdraw Vector [light protected patrol vehicles] from Operations in Afghanistan.” (MA, 8 Jul 09.)
The Defence Secretary gave a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), explaining why the Armed Forces are on Operations in Afghanistan. (MoD, 8 Jul 09.)
The House of Commons debated British Troops (Helmand Province). (Hansard, 8 Jul 09, Column 286 WH.)
OP PANCHAI PALANG was launched three weeks ago and is now “in full swing, with more ground covered each day”. The British and Afghan Forces include a Danish and Estonian contingent. (MoD, 10 Jul 09.)
Comment: During the past week, the Foreign Secretary and the new Defence Secretary gave singularly unconvincing interviews about the UK’s involvement in Afghanistan.
42 Countries continue to contribute to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) although adjustments have been made to the numbers from the US and 19 other nation