The Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan.

The Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan.

As the target for a major withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan set by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond approaches, some question whether the war has all been in vain.

The withdrawal will begin with 500 Royal Marines leaving their posts in Afghanistan at the turn of the year.  Although this figure is a mere drop in the ocean when it is considered that there are over 9000 service personnel deployed in Afghanistan, it is something of a starting point. Other plans have been announced to pull more troops out gradually between the summers of 2013 and 2014.

When asked about these plans to withdraw troops, Hammond told the BBC: "I would expect it will be significant, which means thousands, not hundreds, but I would not expect it to be the majority."

It is estimated that by 2014 the total cost of the war in Afghanistan could reach £20bn. However, the greatest loss has been the deaths of over 430 British troops since the war began in 2001.

This chart shows the number of British casualties in Afghanistan from 2002-2012 (Source: MoD)

The Royal Marines are currently mentoring the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The aim is to train them to a level of combat so that they can handle the modern day warfare that takes place in their country on a daily basis without help from International Service Assistance Force (ISAF).

However, many are skeptical about the Afghans ability to stand up against a powerful insurgent army, the Taliban, despite the high caliber training that they are receiving. If the ANA cannot uphold the fight against the Taliban alone, then Britain’s mission has failed, Britain has wasted a substantial amount of finance and Britain has lost 438 heroes unnecessarily.

Private Simon Roberts, of the 4^th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, has recently returned from training in Nicosia, Cyprus and is preparing for an upcoming tour of Afghanistan.

He said: “As a soldier I am trained to fight in combat, so I do not want to see troops being withdrawn from Helmand because that means there is less chance of me going there.

“We cannot withdraw too early and let the amount of casualties we have suffered die for no cause.”

Private Roberts, 21, trained in at Somme Barracks, Catterick before going to Germany and Cyprus for further training.

Private Roberts (left) in training.

Private Roberts in his Armed Forces uniform.

“Of course I am apprehensive, it would be unnatural not to be. But you imagine being put through the toughest training you can imagine, then not being able to put that training into practice in a real life situation.”

Private Roberts’ mother, Karin McGuinness, opposes her sons view. She said: “I know I am biased because my son is preparing for this war, but I think we should have withdrawn from Afghanistan a long time ago and let them fight their own battle.”

Ex-serviceman Edward Heaton, 31, served in Kabul, Afghanistan before the combat became aggressive as it is today.

He said: “The Taliban are an enemy who fight for religious purposes. When an enemy is religiously motivated, especially when these people dedicate themselves so strongly to their religion, it is difficult to see them backing down. So I believe we as an army have suppressed them far enough, maybe it is time to pull our guys out of Afghanistan and hand over to the ANA.”

The video below is a section of the interview with Edward Heaton discussing the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly admitted that he is in favour of bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, however he was warned that it will be a gradually process and not and immediate withdrawal come 2013.