POLL: Is the UK right to keep troops in Afghanistan until the end of 2016
Michael Fallon has announced that around 450 UK personnel are to remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2016.
The secretary of state for defence said that the troops would remain in a non-combat role including mentoring instructors at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy.
The move follows the announcement by President Barack Obama that the US is to maintain its remaining force in Afghanistan throughout 2016.
"The UK Government recognised it would take time for the ANDSF (Afghan national defence and security forces) to develop into a fully-fledged fighting force capable of providing complete security for the people of Afghanistan," Mr Fallon said.
"We therefore made plans to review our commitment in light of its performance over the year and the overall security situation.
"Both the US and our own decisions underline Nato's continued commitment to training and assisting Afghan forces as they grow stronger."
