Posted on 01/09/2006 4:38:41 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
THE Federal Government today confirmed it would be boosting Australia's troop commitment to Afghanistan.
Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile said Defence Minister Robert Hill would make an announcement about sending two Chinook helicopters and 110 special forces soldiers this morning.
"Senator Hill will announce this morning that we're sending two Chinook helicopters and about 110 personnel to Afghanistan, they'll be deployed as part of Australia's continuing commitment to the fight against terrorism," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
Mr Vaile said the latest deployment would add to the 190 special forces troops already in Afghanistan.
In September last year, elite special services troops returned to Afghanistan to help counter the growing security threat from the Taliban.
Asked to explain the reason the extra troops were necessary, he said: "Underpinning both (Afghanistan and Iraq) is the global fight against terrorism."
"Although it might be in the Middle East, global terrorism is global terrorism and we must continue to fight against it in Afghanistan and in Iraq," he said. Australia also is considering sending an extra 200 troops to Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team to help rebuild the war-torn country.
Jihadi-hunting ally BUMP!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.