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Spain to send 200 more troops to Afghanistan
Sep 8, 2009, 14:11 GMT
Madrid - Spain will add around 200 more troops to its contingent in Afghanistan, government sources said Tuesday.
The government wants to increase the security of Spanish soldiers following an increase of violence, including two attacks against Spanish troops last week, according to media reports.
The new troops were to provide backing for the training of Afghan army and police, and help to increase security in Badghis province, the sources said.
The government was expected to approve the increase in troops on Friday. Spain currently has nearly 800 troops based permanently in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
About 500 others were sent to ensure security during the elections.
Last week, Spanish troops killed 13 insurgents in a six-hour battle, and a Spanish sergeant was injured in an attack on a Spanish convoy in a separate incident.
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