The first batch of British Royal Marines landed at Bagram airport in Afghanistan today on their mission to flush out remaining Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters.
The infantry group will deploy to the airbase north of Kabul where they join a US-led brigade "forming a potent force ready to undertake such operations", according to British Defence Secretary Mr Geoff Hoon.
The move, following a request from the US, will be the largest British military deployment for combat operations since the 1991 Gulf War, with 1,700 British troops involved when the whole force arrives.
The British deployment, called "Operation Jacana", is expected to last about three months.
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AFP