Hammond raises 'enemy within' concerns 13.09.12
7The Defence Secretary has been in Afghanistan to discuss the threat from so called green on blue attacks.
Phillip Hammond travelled to Kabul and Camp Bastion to meet with soldiers and commanders ahead of the end of Op Herrick 16. The Joint Aviation Group took centre stage, showing the vital role aircrews are playing.
As the latest phase of the mission in Afghanistan comes to an end, there can be little doubt of the progress made in the last six months.
British troops are now operating from fewer bases across Helmand and the transition of security control to the Afghan National Security Forces is pressing forward.
But it has been a tough summer for British troops, with 19 soldiers killed since Op Herrick 16 began in April. While training of the Afghan Forces continues, with UK troops serving side by side with them, the risk of green on blue attacks has become a deadly by-product.
Meeting the Afghan President, Mr Hammond was briefed on the new measures in place including tougher vetting procedures, increased counter-intelligence, and steps to outlaw the sale of ANSF uniforms and crack down on those carrying false ID.
The Taliban say green on blue attacks are a key part of its strategy but Mr Hammond was adamant that insider attacks can not be allowed to derail the progress taking place.
He said: "I am in no doubt that we are firmly on the road to seeing Afghan forces assume full security control in their own country.
"The 'green on blue' threat and the tragic incidents we have seen are a very serious concern to me. I recognise that we cannot eliminate the risk entirely but I was reassured that President Karzai and the rest of the Afghan government and military hierarchy clearly take this issue as seriously as I do and are taking real steps to tackle the threat. We are all united in the view that we cannot let these few terrible incidents derail the steady progress that is taking place.
"Our servicemen and women are doing vital work protecting the UK from the threat of international terrorism. We have a clear strategy to bring our combat role to an end while protecting our national security by training and mentoring the Afghans to take over and we will not allow that strategy to be derailed."