Spain to Pull Forces Out Of Afghanistan from 2013; France by End 2012

MADRID (NNN-AOP) -- Spain says its troops stationed in Afghanistan will start handing over security duties to Afghan forces next month as they prepare to withdraw from the war-torn country.

Spanish troops are slated to turn over the security duties in northwestern province of Badghis to the 207th unit of the Afghan army on Nov 1, 2012, Spanish daily El Pais reported on Tuesday.

Between January and February 2013, Spanish troops will leave the Bernard de Galvez base in the town of Ludina in Badghis province, and between March and April, Spain’s forces will also abandon Rickets base in the Moqur district.

Spain, which currently has over 1,500 soldiers in Afghanistan, also plans to call back its advanced combat unit (COP) by the spring 2013.

The United States, leading a Western coalition, invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of combating terrorism.

The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity remains across Afghanistan, despite the presence of thousands of US-led troopers in the country.

On Oct 20, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced that France would also pull out its combat troops from Afghanistan “a bit more quickly than anticipated” and will complete the withdrawal before the end of December 2012.

He stated that some Frenchmen, responsible mostly for repatriating equipment and the training of the Afghan army personnel, would remain in Afghanistan, “but there will be no more combat troops.” -- NNN-AOP