| Monday, November 12, 2001, updated at 11:23(GMT+8) |
British Forces Provide Assistance to Northern Alliance |
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British troops are on the ground in northern Afghanistan, British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed on Sunday.
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British troops are on the ground in northern Afghanistan, British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed on Sunday.
"I can certainly confirm that there are members of Britain's armed forces on the ground in northern Afghanistan," he told BBC radio.
He said the British troops are advising the opposition Northern Alliance troops fighting against the Taliban regime. This is the first time for the British government to confirm weeks of speculation. But he declined to say how many soldiers were involved.
He said the British soldiers were "liaisoning with the Northern Alliance providing advice and assistance" as they advanced toward capital Kabul.
Britain has a contingent of 200 Royal Marines on a troop carrier in the Arabian Sea, with hundred of others back home in a state of instant readiness.
There has been widespread speculation that members of the elite special forces -- the Special Air Service and the Special Boat Service -- have been in Afghanistan acting as target spotters for bombers.
Earlier Sunday, Hoon dismissed reported claims by bin Laden that he had a nuclear bomb and was prepared to use it, but said the Saudi-born militant had managed to get nuclear materials.
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