British Forces To Be Replaced By US Marines In Helmand Province

British Forces To Withdraw From Helmand Under New US Plan For Afghanistan -- The Telegraph

British forces are to be withdrawn from Helmand and replaced by United States Marines under controversial new plans being drawn up by American commanders.

The proposal, which would have to be approved by a new British government, is facing stiff resistance. Whitehall officials fear that a pull-out from Helmand, where nearly 250 British troops have been killed since 2006, would be portrayed as an admission of defeat.

Under the plans, British forces would hand over their remaining bases in Helmand to the US Marines as early as this year.

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My Comment: From where I am standing it appears that the Brits are being told to get out .... but the reality is probably different. Dutch and Canadian forces are leaving Afghanistan next year, and I am sure that there is now a repositioning of troops and resources with the British being the lead force in this deployment.

Still .... from a simple PR point of view this does not look good.