British commander warns against hasty Afghan exit

A BRITISH commander has warned against international forces “rushing for the exit” in Afghanistan.

Brigadier Patrick Sanders, of 20th Armoured Brigade, said Afghan security forces were increasingly taking over British area of operations in central Helmand. But he cautioned that the gains that had been made were not yet irreversible and that they would need until the end of 2014 when international forces are due to complete their mission.

“I think that we should be cautious in rushing for the exits,” he told reporters at a briefing at the Ministry of Defence in London.

“We have seen over the last six months real evidence of growing confidence and growing capability but it isn’t yet irreversible.”

He added: “If transition is going to stick, if we are going to deliver something that is durable post-2014, we need to maintain our commitment through until that point and then a strategic partnership beyond that.”