British military deployed to Helmand

British military personnel have been deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand province amid reports which suggest the Taliban is close to overrunning Sangin town.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated a small number of personnel had been sent to Camp Shorabak in Helmand in an ‘advisory role’. The MoD has also assured, they will not be in combat and are part of a larger NATO team.

Whilst UK combat operations in Afghanistan ended last year, around 450 troops remain in mentoring and support roles.

Helmand's governor, Mirza Khan Rahimi, insisted the authorities were still in control of Sangin, but his own deputy said the town had been overrun by Taliban militants.

A spokeswoman for the MoD said the troops were being deployed as part of the UK's ‘ongoing contribution’ to NATO's Resolute Support mission.

They added: “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.”

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