The MOD announced the 300th British death in Afghanistan today, following the death of a marine from his wounds in a Birmingham hospital. The marine had sustained injuries from an explosion in the Sangin district of Helmand province on Saturday 12 June. [MOD]
In response, statements regarding the importance of the British mission have been issued by the MOD and the Prime Minister. [MOD, Number10.gov.uk] However, questions over the reasons for UK involvement in the war, the apparent lack of progress, pessimism about its outcome, and the role of the war in increasing the terrorist threat in the UK are now more pertinent than ever. [Reuters]
