British Ambassador to Afghanistan – Laurie Bristow has arrived in U.K. which concludes the withdrawal of U.K. troops and diplomats from Afghanistan
The British Ambassador to Afghanistan – Laurie Bristow has arrived in the United Kingdom (U.K.), ahead of the August 31, 2021 deadline for NATO members to leave the country.
The last set of flight carrying U.K. troops will also be landing in the U.K. now. This concludes the withdrawal of U.K. troops and diplomats from the war-torn Afghanistan, after Taliban seized the Government on August 15, 2021.
During this period, the U.K. evacuated 15,000 people. The Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson officially announced the culmination of the mission, PITTING meant to airlift the British nationals, Afghans and those who helped U.K. in their Afghan mission.
Taking it to twitter, Johnson tweeted,
Operation PITTING is a mission unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime, helping 15,000 people to safety in just under two weeks.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 28, 2021
I want to thank everyone involved and the thousands of those who served over the last two decades. You can be proud of what you have achieved. https://t.co/2RTrsuDOb7
He even posted a letter, addressing all those who served in Afghanistan. He stated that he admired all those heroes who were involved in the mission ever since U.K. positioned its troops in Afghanistan.
He further tweeted,
My letter to all those who served in Afghanistan.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 29, 2021
Whether you are still serving or a veteran, a loved-one, a relation or a friend, you all played your part and you should feel immense pride. pic.twitter.com/Foy5r41Mcr
With evacuation being complete, the U.K. Embassy to Afghanistan would operate from Qatar for the time being. But it would reopen as soon as possible and will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan. The U.K. Government is also trying to negotiate with Taliban to allow safe passage of people wiling to reach U.K. from Afghanistan.
The Former Head of Armed Forces for U.K. between 2006 and 2009 – Lord Dannatt said that there should be an inquiry into the U.K.’s 20-year engagement in Afghanistan to look at the string of strategic errors, including the manner of the evacuation. He even said that the evacuation must have started months ago.
Meanwhile, the United States (U.S.) will continue to manage the Kabul Airport till August 31, 2021. The U.K. has also announced a new plan “Operation Warm Welcome” to resettle the people fleeing Afghanistan. It will also include various forms of support like helping them overcome trauma, free English language courses, and assistance with health, education, accommodation and employment.
Apart from this, the U.K is already running “Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)” for those who worked for the U.K. Government and “Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme”, which focuses on women, children and other minorities.
