Denmark withdraws troops from Afghan base following attack

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Friday August 25, 2006

Copenhagen- The Danish military leadership has withdrawn all of its troops from Musa Qala base in Afghanistan following massive attacks by Afghan rebels, Copenhagen's Berlingske Tidende newspaper reported Friday. Many Danish soldiers had been injured - two seriously and several others slightly - in almost daily attacks since they occupied the base in the treacherous Helmand province on July 21, the newspaper reported.

The soldiers' association trade union said the deployment in Afghanistan was poorly prepared and insufficiently equipped.

The soldiers had been sent to Musa Qala to assist in the reconstruction of a civil society in the region and then exposed to "all-out war," the union said.

Defence Minister Soren Gade rejected the criticism. "Nobody can remain in a place like Musa Qala for the long-term. That is why the soldiers have now been relocated to another place where they can have a breather," Gade said.

The army's supreme command described the relocation as a "planned relief."

Denmark currently contributes 225 soldiers to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur