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Britain announces end of offensive in Afghanistan

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LONDON: Britain announced on Monday the end of a bloody offensive against Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan, saying it now needs to hold and build on progress made.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the “heroic” efforts of British forces in Helmand province, where the troop death toll surged in recent weeks as Operation Panther’s Claw was ratcheted up. “The first phase of Operation Panther’s Claw has now ended,” a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence told AFP. “There are three phases. The first was the most heavily military phase. The second is a holding phase about holding the ground and the third is a building phase.” The offensive to beat back Taliban insurgents in Helmand province began last month, with British troops at the forefront. Some 20 British troops have died in Afghanistan so far this month, taking the death toll since operations began in the country in late 2001 above the death toll in the war in Iraq.

“The efforts of our troops in Helmand have been nothing short of heroic,” Brown told London’s Evening Standard newspaper. “There has been a tragic human cost. But this has not been in vain. “Now that Operation Panther’s Claw has shown that it can bring success and the first phase of that operation is over, it’s time to commemorate all those soldiers who have given their lives and to thank all our British forces for the determination and professionalism and courage that they’ve shown.

Dialogue: The Britain separately said on Monday it supports more efforts to talk to insurgents in Afghanistan, saying those who turn away from violence should be offered a chance to become part of the political process. International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, visiting Helmand, said more work is needed on a political process involving “elements within the Taliban”. “It is a difficult message for politicians – to talk about the issues of reconciliation and reintegration when British troops are fighting the Taliban,” Alexander told BBC radio.

“(But) ... it is necessary to put military pressure on the Taliban while at the same time holding out the prospect that there can be a political process ... whereby those who are willing to renounce violence can find a different path.”

End.