Posted on 07/07/2011 11:52:16 AM PDT by Pan_Yan
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Canada formally ended its combat role in Afghanistan on Thursday, closing a mission that has cost 157 soldiers their lives since 2002 — casualties that shocked Canadians unaccustomed to seeing their troops die in battle.
The move adds to the burden of U.S. and Afghan troops who are trying to prevent a Taliban rebound in the militants' southern stronghold where Canadian troops had been fighting in their bloodiest conflict since the Korean War.
Canada is withdrawing its combat units as the sixth largest troop-contributing nation, behind the U.S., Britain, Germany, France and Italy. Like Americans and Europeans, Canadians have grown weary of the war as it nears the 10-year mark.
While 2,850 Canadian soldiers are going home, 950 others have started streaming into Afghanistan to help train Afghan security forces to take the lead role in securing the country by 2014.
Canada passed the responsibility for two districts of Kandahar province to U.S. forces at Kandahar Air Field during a ceremony held in a hall decorated with Canadian maple leaf flags. After remarks, handshakes and the exchange of military paperwork, troops held a moment of silence for their fallen comrades.
Since 2002, 157 Canadian troops, one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers have been killed in Afghanistan.
... the U.K. will withdraw 500 troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2012, a move that will reduce the size of the British contingent to 9,000.
Other top troop-contributing nations are Germany with 4,800, France with 3,900 and Italy with 3,880.
French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet has said that about 1,000 French troops would be out by the summer of 2012.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has said his country aims to start pulling out troops by the end of the year.
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Canada has a military?
Who knew?
Thanks, Canada.
I’ve worked with Canadian officers whilst I was in the military, and they are thorough professionals.
Thank you for your service, Canada!
Canada is abandoning us?
Damn, now who’s going to clean the crappers?
“Damn, now who’s going to clean the crappers?”
I can readily understand why someone who spends a lot of time kneeling in toilets would be concerned about that.
157 Canadians died over there in our war. You could show them just a little respect.
Canadian troops are being maimed and killed regularly in Afghanistan. Those politicians supporting the US are taking great flack from their own PC-leftist drones within Canada.
No American patriot should ever slag-off Canada’s contribution in Afghanistan.
+1
Oh lighten up. I apologize to the Canadians.
Agreed, its not their war but came to our aid anyway. Make fun of their beer, the way they talk or their ‘hockey teams’ but not this. Im sure those deaths were all the more bitter b/c of the goofy way we’re carrying on there. Either win it or kick the CoC out of the WH, lets not kick the Canadians around tho. Eh?!
I can readily understand why someone who spends a lot of time kneeling in toilets would be concerned about that.
Now that's where you're in the wrong, mate. He doesn't kneel in toilets......he eats out of them.
The next time you want to demonstrate your ignorance, do it somewhere else. Mocking the military of the United States or her allies doesn’t sit well me. I can practically guarantee that the only uniform you or the other dumbass here has ever worn was the one they make you put on when you sweep up the food court at the mall.
Each week on Hockey Night in Canada, Don Cherry would give a very moving between periods tribute to some young Canadian soldier who had died in Afghanistan the previous week. I always appreciated those and thought Coach did a wonderful job with them.
They were in Afghanistan because of what happened to us on 9-11. I for one sincerely appreciate the sacrifices these young men and women made for our friendship. And I can’t blame them for leaving now that Obama is sending up smoke signals that he is about to turn tail.
+1.. The Canucks, particularly the Princess Pats sent many Tallies to the 72 virgins. Their sniping teams set records in distance and effectiveness. Given the incompetent and bewildered approach taken by the Idiot in Chief and his minions, I have nothing to say to the Canucks except Thank You.
You are a total ignoramus. Don't bother calling next time you need an ally.
I could go on, but a moron like yourself is probably stuck on proportionally. Look it up if you can wipe the spittle off your keyboard.
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