When Did Great Britain Leave Afghanistan
The majority of people believe that Great Britain left Afghanistan after the full withdrawal of international combat forces in 2014. However, the answer is slightly more complicated. In fact, British forces were present in the region well beyond this date.
Rather, Great Britain’s withdrawal from Afghanistan can be seen as a process rather than an event. British forces started a reduction in the region in late 2011, and were officially withdrawn in October of 2014, in conjunction with the other NATO forces. However, British forces continued to remain in the region to support NATO train and advise roles; helping to provide support the Afghan security forces.
This support still continues today, with the UK having troops stationed in Kabul, working to help train and support Afghan security forces. This has been a critical factor in helping the Afghan forces to contain regional terrorists groups. The UK also provides a small number of personnel to the NATO Mission in Afghanistan, supporting the HQ in Kabul and the Kabul peace process.
Recent polls have shown that British public opinion of the Afghanistan conflict is consistently negative; with the majority believing that their troops should have been removed at a much earlier date. However, many experts in the field of foreign policy and international security point out that such a move would have led to an even more chaotic security situation in the region.
These experts also suggest that whilst the British departure is key to Afghanistan overcoming its current security worries, the international community has a clear role to still play to ensure a stable and peaceful future for the country.
The Afghan people have embraced the international presence in their region, in large part due to the support provided in a variety of areas such as healthcare, education and infrastructure. However, the public’s patience for such support is waning. The government and international agencies must take steps immediately to ensure that improved services can be delivered in the near future.
The Impact of the Withdrawal on Taliban Insurgency
When considering the impact of the UK withdrawal in 2014, one must consider the situation in Afghanistan today, especially with regards to the Taliban insurgency.
There is no doubt that the death of Osama Bin Laden in 2011, and the subsequent strategic change in US policy towards negotiating peace with the Taliban, had significant effect on diminishing the ambitions of the insurgent organisations in the region. However, it must be remembered that the UK had contributed to this change in strategy and was a key factor in ensuring a peaceful termination of the conflict to the benefit of all sides.
It is important to note that the withdrawal of UK forces from Afghanistan in 2014 did not leave the country in a state of chaos or lawlessness; and in fact, levels of violence have been lower than they were in 2014, when the bulk of the UK forces have been withdrawn.
Despite this, it is still considered by many experts that the NATO role in the region is far from complete, and that the international community still has a role to play in ensuring the stability of the region.
In its absence, the Afghan state is looking towards internal military and intelligence services to maintain security within its borders, but the international community still has a responsibility to ensure that the Taliban do not once again become a dominant political player in the country.
The Lack of International Support
In the years since the international forces left the region, the lack of international support to the Afghan government and security forces has been felt across the country.
Reports from both local and international actors point to a decline in much needed aid funding for healthcare systems, infrastructure projects and job creation programs. This lack of support has been cited as one of the main difficulties in rebuilding the country in the wake of the conflict, and without this support, the Afghan people are struggling to develop their own security forces.
In addition, the US government has recently decreased the number of troops on the ground in the country, and this has once again created an uncertain security situation in the country. The US role in Afghanistan has been considered essential in the maintenance of peace and security, and the withdrawal of support from Washington could destabilise the region, creating a further vacuum in which an insurgency could thrive.
It is important to note that the US withdrawal is not the only factor that can impact security in Afghanistan; in fact, the lack of international support could be seen as having the more immediate effect. Without sufficient aid to create jobs and help rebuild the economy and infrastructure, the Afghans will find it harder to achieve stability as the country faces a range of serious human rights and security issues.
Where Does Britain Stand Now?
In the face of these uncertain security challenges for the Afghan people, Britain is in a difficult position. The UK is not currently providing any financial support to the Afghan government, though it is still contributing to the NATO training and advisory roles that help in the fight against terrorism.
The UK is also advocating for a more developed international strategy to tackling organised crime and terrorism in the region. However, this strategy is still at an early stage, and the future of Britain’s role in the region is still uncertain.
The future of Afghanistan remains a difficult and uncertain one at this time. The end of the conflict and international withdrawal in 2014 did not result in the stability that many hoped for. The long-term viability of the country and its citizens remains in question as the international community grapples with the challenging realities of state-building and the maintenance of security in the face of ongoing terrorism.
For Britain, the question of further involvement in the region must be weighed against the perceived benefits of helping to build a more stable and secure Afghanistan. Ultimately, this is an issue that will have to be addressed by the UK and the international community if any sustainable peace is to be achieved.
The Increasing Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict in Afghanistan has left a legacy of instability and insecurity, with a continuously rising death toll in the region. In addition to this, there has been a marked increase in the number of people displaced by the conflict, with an estimated three million refugees currently in-country.
These refugees are in desperate need of support and assistance, with many having to resort to relying on aid agencies for survival. Aid organisations have been stretched by the sheer scale of the humanitarian problems in the country, and more needs to be done to address the needs of the Afghan people.
In addition, the conflict has created a willingness amongst the Afghan people to return to their original homes, which often requires international support in order to ensure that they do not end up in the same or worse situation than they were in previously.
Britain has a history of providing support to refugees, and it is an obligation of the UK to ensure that the Afghan people do not become victims of further turmoil. It is also the duty of the international community to ensure that the people of Afghanistan are provided with the necessary aid and assistance to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.
The Psychological Impact of the Withdrawal
The Afghanistan conflict has had a deeply damaging psychological impact on the people of the country, and the withdrawal of UK forces has done nothing to help alleviate this.
Many of the returning soldiers have experienced physical and mental trauma, with research indicating that more than 1 in 10 UK veterans now experience post traumatic stress disorder. In addition, many more face a range of psychological problems as a result of their experiences in Afghanistan.
It is essential that the UK and other international partners recognise this impact, and take steps to ensure that veterans receive the support and care that they need. The psychological impact of the conflict cannot be denied, and it is important that this issue is addressed in order to prevent further suffering and psychological distress.
It is clear that the psychological impact of the conflict is a very real and pressing issue, and one that needs to be addressed by the UK and international community as the healing process for the Afghan people begins.
The International Community’s Responsibility
It is important to note that the international community has a responsibility to ensure that the country can fully recover and rebuild from the effects of the conflict. Even in the absence of UK forces, there is a need for the international community to provide ongoing assistance and support in order to ensure that the Afghan people are given the opportunity to once again live a secure and stable life.
This responsibility does not fall solely on the shoulders of the UK; but rather, it is incumbent on all international partners to provide support and assistance in order to ensure stability and security in the region. It is only through collective action that the Afghan people can move forward towards a brighter and more peaceful future.
The international community must also recognise that the conflict was caused by a complex range of factors, and that any lasting peace and security in the region requires a multi-level approach. This should include economic, political, and social interventions to ensure that the Afghan people are given the support that they need to rebuild their country and re-establish trust in the international community.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of UK forces from Afghanistan in 2014 may have signalled the end of the conflict in the country, but the challenges that remained in the wake of the departure remain as present as before. The people of Afghanistan still face a range of difficult security issues, and the international community must provide ongoing assistance and support in order to ensure that the country can rebuild and move beyond the shadow of the conflict.
The UK and other international actors still have a role to play