Afghanistan: Military Withdrawal Without Taliban Commitment Would Be 'Rash'
Former Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay has spoken to Forces News about the future of Afghanistan.
Former Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay has spoken to Forces News about the future of Afghanistan.
It comes as a three-day ceasefire with the insurgents comes to an end.
Eid al-Fitr is a major holiday on the Islamic calender, marking the end of a month's fasting.
An agreement, signed in February, confirmed the number of American personnel would drop to 8,600 from about 13,000 by mid-July.
An expert has told the BFBS Sitrep's podcast that the COVID-19 pandemic could cause conflict to "deteriorate in a terrible way".
Taliban is being blamed for attacks that killed 29 members of the security forces but the group has not claimed responsibility.
The people killed in the attack were all local workers who provided cleaning services to the base.
Under the deal, the Afghan government will be releasing 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 government officials.
The Taliban has warned of more violence if the US and Afghan government continue alleged violations of the deal.
Around 1,500 troops and civilians who recently arrived in the country have been put into self-isolation.
Hundreds are exiting Afghanistan as planned, but will not be replaced as the US proceeds with plans to cut its troop numbers there.
Airstrikes in Helmand Province follow insurgent violence at Afghan force checkpoints, as a peace pacts falter.
The US-brokered peace agreement has hit its first speed bump since leaders signed it on Saturday.
Private Joseph Berry died of a non-battle injury while in Kabul last month.
There are around 1,100 British Army troops currently based in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan veteran Craig Monaghan has won the 'Overcoming Adversity' award at The Sun Military Awards 2019.