Nato’s training of Afghan forces maintained beyond drawdown

Nato will continue to train Afghan soldiers even after the Alliance ends its 18-year mission in Afghanistan this year.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said support would be given to Afghan special forces outside the country, although he did not say where.

Nato has already begun withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, where about 10,000 were stationed to advise and train Afghan security as part of the Resolute Support Mission.

Mr Stoltenberg, speaking in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, said the Alliance would continue to provide such assistance.

“As we end our military presence, we are opening a new chapter. Nato’s future support will have three main pillars,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

“First, we plan to provide advice and capacity support to Afghan security institutions, as well as continued financial support to the Afghan security forces.

“Second, we are planning to provide military education and training outside Afghanistan, focusing on Special Operations Forces.”

Mr Stoltenberg said Nato also planned “to fund the provision of services, including support for the functioning of Kabul airport”.

“All this will enable Nato allies and the broader international community to continue to help the Afghan people and contribute to the peace efforts,” he said.

Security officials gather in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 March 2021. At least four people were killed and eleven others injured after a magnetic improvised explosive device (IED), targeting a minibus carrying employees of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, went off in Kabul. Hedayatullah Amid / EPA
An Afghan security official inspects the scene in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 March 2021. Hedayatullah Amid / EPA
A security worker is seen near a damaged vehicle after a blast in Kabul on March 18, 2021. Wakil Kohsar / AFP
A boy looks out of a shattered window in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 March 2021. Hedayatullah Amid / EPA
People are seen through a broken car window in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 March 2021. Hedayatullah Amid / EPA
Shattered windows in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 March 2021. Hedayatullah Amid / EPA
A security worker is seen near a damaged vehicle after a blast in Kabul on March 18, 2021. Wakil Kohsar / AFP
Afghan security officials pose in the Karokh district of Herat after suspected Taliban militants were killed in an attack on Pashtan Dam in Afghanistan on 16 March 2021. At least three Afghan soldiers and eight Taliban militants were killed in the incident. Jalil Rezayee / EPA
Afghan security officials pose in the Karokh district of Herat, Afghanistan, on 16 March 2021. EPA

US President Joe Biden wants American troops out of Afghanistan by September 11, 20 years to the day since the Al Qaeda attacks on US soil that sparked the initial invasion.

But there are fears that the drawdown could lead to the Afghan government being overrun by the Taliban, given the rising levels of violence in the country.

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?

George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.

Hunting park to luxury living

Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

Nato’s training of Afghan forces maintained beyond drawdown

Ongoing military support to shield Afghanistan from threat of Taliban

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?

Hunting park to luxury living

'Panga'