Fairfax Media reports the pace of withdrawal from Oruzgan province will be accelerated rapidly as the federal government tries to disentangle Australia from its decade-long commitment to the US-led war.
Military sources have told Fairfax the fifth rotation of Australian mentoring soldiers, due to arrive in Afghanistan in late 2012, will consist of 150 troops, compared with the 900 presently training the Afghan National Army.
The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ash Power told journalists at a briefing this week that a plan to hand responsibility to Afghan forces would be unveiled early next year.
Fairfax has also cited sources saying that the American contingent operating alongside Australian troops would probably be withdrawn by the end of 2012.
Thirty-two Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
Military sources have told Fairfax the fifth rotation of Australian mentoring soldiers, due to arrive in Afghanistan in late 2012, will consist of 150 troops, compared with the 900 presently training the Afghan National Army.
The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ash Power told journalists at a briefing this week that a plan to hand responsibility to Afghan forces would be unveiled early next year.
Fairfax has also cited sources saying that the American contingent operating alongside Australian troops would probably be withdrawn by the end of 2012.
Thirty-two Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
Washington Time
Kabul Time
London Time
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