British Welsh Guards assume security responsibility in Afghanistan


The Yorkshire Regiment recently completed their tour in Afghanistan, handing over the reins to the Welsh Guards.


British Welsh Guards assume security responsibility in Afghanistan
Welsh Guards train ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan (Picture source: UK MoD)


Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards recently assumed responsibility as part of the Kabul Protection Unit. For the rest of their tour the guardsmen will be in Kabul protecting UK and Coalition mentors as they assist the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in securing their country.

Operation Toral is the British contribution to NATO's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The Welsh Guards are a light mechanized infantry battalion and will provide advisor protection, secure transport and incident response for Resolute Support elements. The deployment will see the Welsh Guards work alongside the Afghan military and NATO members as they provide security, which will involve safeguarding those training the next generation of Afghan military officers at the Afghanistan National Army Officers' Academy.

During their deployment, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment deployed in response to the attack at the Intercontinental Hotel attack, where they helped rescue 43 hostages. They also responded to two attacks on local defence forces based in Kabul.

The international military campaign has reduced the terrorist threat from this region and helped train a 350,000 strong Afghan National Security Force, which now has security responsibility for Afghanistan’s 30 million citizens. The process of handing over security to Afghan forces – ‘transition’ – saw the international military’s role change from leading combat operations to training, advising and assisting. This marked a significant milestone for Afghanistan and its people. It has also enabled UK troop numbers to reduce and combat operations to decrease. At its peak, in Helmand alone there were 137 UK bases and around 9,500 UK troops.