British, US base camps handed over to Afghans

Britain's combat operations in Afghanistan ended Sunday as the last British base in the militancy-hit South Asian country was handed over to Afghan security forces. A US base was also handed over to the Afghans.

The Union Jack, Britain's national flag, was lowered at Camp Bastion, while Camp Leatherneck - the adjoining US base - was also handed over to Afghan control, BBC reported.

Camp Bastion in Helmand province had been the British troops' main Afghan base since 2006.

Britain's military presence moved to Helmand to tackle an insurgency together with troops from the US and other countries. A total of 453 British troops have died in service in Afghanistan, CNN reported.

The Afghan national security forces will take over the bases and all operations, but Britain will continue to support them in their development, the defence ministry said.

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon admitted that "mistakes were made" but much had been achieved since troops arrived in 2001.

"It is with pride that we announce the end of British combat operations in Helmand, having given Afghanistan the best possible chance of a stable future."

So far, 2,349 US military personnel have died in Afghanistan.

US Marines alongside British and Afghan soldiers formed a guard of honour, saluting as the national anthems of all three countries were played over a loudspeaker.

Speaking during a show on BBC One, Fallon said the Taliban had not been defeated, but Afghan forces were now taking "full responsibilities".

Fallon said Britain's support would continue through "institutional development", the Afghan National Army Officer Academy and development aid.

Speaking about the British military mission, he said: "Mistakes were made militarily, mistakes were made by the politicians at the time and this goes back 10, 13 years.

"Clearly the numbers weren't there at the beginning, the equipment wasn't quite good enough at the beginning and we've learnt an awful lot from the campaign.

"But don't let's ignore what has been achieved."

Fallon said the "vast bulk" of British troops would be home by Christmas, with a "few hundred" staying to help with training at the officer academy.

"We're not going to send combat troops back into Afghanistan, under any circumstances," he added.