KABUL: (MEP) Britain deployed Special Forces to Helmand province after Afghan forces suffered a defeat to the Taliban in retaking the key district (Singin).
However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, the troops would not take on a combat role and were in the country to provide support and advice to the Afghan National Army (ANA).
The U.K’s The Times newspaper reported the deployment included at least one SAS unit of around 30 soldiers who were backing American Special Forces and the Afghan National Army as they try to retake Sangin, in Helmand, from the Taliban.
The MoD however refused to comment on any operations involving the SAS.
A spokesperson from the MoD said: “As part of the UK’s ongoing contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission, a small number of UK personnel have deployed to Camp Shorabak in Helmand province in an advisory role.
“These personnel are part of a larger NATO team which is providing advice to the Afghan National Army. They are not deployed in a combat role and will not deploy outside the camp.
“In total, the UK has around 450 troops in Afghanistan mentoring and supporting the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and the Afghan Security Ministries.”
On Sunday, the deputy governor of Helmand, Jan Rasulyar, sent a plea to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Facebook warning a threat from the Taliban was imminent.
Taliban militants have launched a coordinated attacks on Sangin district of Helmand province two days ago in which they have took captive around 400 security forces and Afghan local police.
The clashes in the district is still ongoing in order to retake the area and free the forces.
Sangin has been the scene of fierce fighting in the past week – in addition to it having seen much conflict over the past 14 years – with more than 100 British troops dying in and around the town over the years.
