In brief: UK withdrawal from Afghanistan

The drawdown of British troops in Afghanistan has begun. The end of combat operations in December 2014 means the UK is progressively reducing the size of its force and will withdraw all but a few hundred non-combat troops.

The reduction began in late 2012 with a reduction of 500 personnel to 9,000. Troop numbers will be cut to 5,200 by the end of 2013, 3,800 fewer troops than at the same time in 2012. There are currently 7,900 British troops in Afghanistan. The tour length for the next troop deployment, in October 2013, will be for eight months rather than the more usual six months.