Spanish forces leave Afghanistan after eight-year military mission

Spanish troops have left Afghanistan’s western Badghis Province as part of the NATO withdrawal plan.

A total of 1,500 Spanish forces have been deployed in this province since 2005.

The Spanish Defence Ministry says in a press release that the Spanish forces have carried out mission in Afghanistan for eight years and now they are going home after losing 98 lives.

It adds that a limited number of Spanish forces will stay in a NATO base in Herat Province to train Afghan forces. Afghan officials say the domestic forces are capable of ensuring security in this province.

A total of 1,500 Spanish forces have been operating in Afghanistan since 2005 and most of them were deployed in western Badghis Province. Now, at the final security transition phase, the Spanish defence minister visited Badghis Province where he handed over military establishments to the Afghan army after withdrawing his forces.

The Spanish Defence Ministry says that the Spanish forces launched 1,000 operations against armed opponents in Badghis Province over the past eight years in which 98 Spanish forces lost their lives.

Ahmadollah Alizai, Badghis governor, assured the people of Badghis Province that Afghan police, army and security forces will protect them.

The head of the Badghis provincial council and some residents of this province say Spain has spent considerable amount of money in this province over the past eight years which changed living conditions of these people compared to 12 years ago.

Abdol Majid Shekeb, head of Badghis provincial council, said Badghis Province was at a zero level and they have rendered praiseworthy services in terms of building roads and other public utility offices, Afghan media reported.

Though Spain has spent millions of dollars on building military establishments in Badghis Province, it has handed over these establishments to the national army.

Gen Daud Shah Wafadar, commander of 2nd brigade of Zafar Army Corps, said Spanish troops had built various military establishments and Afghan can deploy 1,500 personnel from the third Qaharam brigade. They have spent 25m euros and these buildings fall to second category.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 26 2013. Filed under Latest News, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.