NATO requests more German combat troops for Afghanistan
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Jan 30, IRNA
Germany-Afghanistan-NATO
NATO has made an official request to the German Defense Ministry to send extra combat troops to Afghanistan as part of a Quick Reaction Force, Der Spiegel reported.
The request was made only hours after German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul for a surprise visit.
A spokesman for the German Defense Ministry confirmed that NATO had made such a request but did not reveal any further details.
Berlin signalled earlier this month that it was ready to deploy a 250-men Quick Reaction Force to Afghanistan to replace a Norwegian unit in July.
The Quick Reaction Force is mandated within the rules of engagement of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), according to the German Defense Ministry.
At least 21 German soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since January 2002.
Around 3,500 German soldiers are presently based in northern Afghanistan as part of the ISAF mission.
Germany has faced intense pressure in recent months from its NATO allies, notably the US, Britain and Canada, to expand its military presence into southern Afghanistan where NATO forces are battling a revitalized Taliban insurgency.
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