Norway considers moving military base outside north Afghan city
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, April 12, IRNA
Norway Troops-Afghanistan
Norway is considering the possibility of moving its military base at Maimana in northern Afghanistan from the center of the city to the outskirts following recent attacks.
According to Norway Post, the Scandanavian country has also made an agreement to involve troops from the Afghan National Army in the protection of the Norwegian unit.
Norwegian Defence Minister Anne-Grete Stroem Erichsen was quoted saying that it was the country's intention for new arrangements to become effective as soon as possible.
"The security for our troops will be improved, but the agreement will also give a good effect for the Afghanistan Army, which in this way will have the opportunity to cooperate with our soldiers," Erichen said.
The Norwegian military base at Maimana was attacked by
demonstrators in February, when 33 military personnel were on duty and resulted in five Norwegian soldiers and a large number of Afghan policemen being slightly injured.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg insisted that the small number of Norwegian forces in Afghanistan will remain despite the attack.
Maimana base is staffed mostly by about 50 soldiers from Norway and additional troops from Finland. Norway also has a number of special forces helping US operations in Afghanistan.
Erichsen has previously expressed concern about incidents in which the Norwegian flag has been burned in Afghanistan.
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