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The weekend political break-down in the Netherlands is expected to see the 1600-string Dutch contingent marching out of Oruzgan province in Afghanistan, where the main body of Australian forces is located. … Read More »
The body of Private Benjamin Ranaudo, 22, the eleventh Australia killed in the fighting in Afghanistan, was returned to Melbourne (26.7.09) – greeted by family members and representatives of his unit, the Townsville-based 1st Battalion RAR. He was killed by a bomb set off as troops approached a compound.
A second soldier, Private Paul Warren, 30, from Toowoomba, was seriously injured in the same incident, and three Afghan civilians including a child were killed.
Reference: ADF, “Private Benjamin Ranaudo returns home”, MPSA 234/09. www.defence.gov.au, (17.7.09). Picture: Benjamin Ranaudo, ADF
The Australian government has confirmed it will send an extra 450 soldiers to Afghanistan.
The new forces, increasing the country’s commitment by nearly one-third, will be comprised of a Company group to assist with security during the forthcoming national elections, and more soldiers to work in mentoring and training roles with the Afghanistan army.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said (29.4.09) the overseas military commitment was becoming unpopular but was needed to help protect Australians from terrorist attack and to honour commitments to the American alliance.
The increase in troop numbers comes at the same time as additional commitments by Britain and the United States; the international force operating under a NATO command structure is stepping up its level of operations.
The NATO partners have signed on to a revised doctrine for confronting the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, emphasising a build-up of the Afghan army and police, more civil reconstruction work, and bringing neighbouring countries into a drive for settlement of the conflict.
On a fourth point, building up forces under NATO command in Afghanistan, the European allies have promised limited reinforcements — in the area of 5000 extra troops – to help during the elections period there, this year.
Talks over forces are bound to continue. … Read More »
President Barack Obama staked a claim for more support in Afghanistan at the commencement of the NATO summit (3.4.09), at Strasbourg-Kehl. … Read More »
The North Atlantic alliance has acquired two new member states, Albania and Croatia, and has acted to strengthen reconstruction efforts being seen as a key to the battle for Afghanistan. … Read More »
Whatever questions there might have been to answer, and Barak Obama answered questions from 13 reporters, nothing was given out on the future of the armed incursion into Afghanistan, when the President faced the press.
In the meantime, three more Australians were hurt in the continued fighting there. … Read More »