Germany extends military mission in Afghanistan by another year

[News_Editor]

Germany extends military mission in Afghanistan by another year

2011-01-13 04:23:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

BERLIN, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) -- The German Cabinet on Wednesday voted in favor of extending its military mission in Afghanistan by one year before beginning withdrawal at the end of 2011.

According to The Local newspaper, the cabinet voted to continue its mission that includes over 5,000 troops along with the record-high operational costs of €1.5 billion ($1.95 billion) per year.

The mission extension also includes a relocation of troops as German soldiers will be deployed to other areas in need after their current areas are secure and under Afghan control.

Germany expects that the last soldiers will be leaving the war-torn nation by 2014 and the withdrawal will begin by the end of the current year. German troops constitute NATO's third-largest troop contingent in Afghanistan.

The German soldiers are mainly based in the northern areas of Afghanistan, a relatively peaceful region. However, latest reports indicate a slight increment of attacks. So far, 45 German troops have died while on duty.

Until December 2010, 48 countries were involved in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) operation led by NATO. The combined forces totaled approximately 130,000 soldiers.

German involvement consists of 5,350 soldiers, 350 of which are provided as reserve. The NATO-led operation was designed to provide stability and support reconstruction of the country after the U.S. invasion.

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that the German Cabinet agreed on beginning the troops' withdrawal as Germany does not want to stay longer than its allies in Afghanistan. Westerwelle remarked that the German contingent will be reduced for the first time.

"Today, I can say with sufficient confidence that we will be able to reduce our Bundeswehr contingent in Afghanistan for the first time at the end of 2011," Minister Westerwelle said, according to The Local.

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