Sources disclosed that the British troops, which are taking part in a joint exercise with the Omani counterparts, are expected to start their ground war against Afghanistan “as early as next week,” reports said.
The British troops are training in a joint exercise with the Omani counterparts, ahead of deployment in Afghanistan, to join the US-led war in Afghanistan, said Middle East Newsline (MENL) reported.
Gulf defense sources were quoted by the agency as saying that the British military has used the Swift Sword-2 exercise for the training of ground troops being prepared for Anti-Terror war.
The sources expected the troops to be sent as early as next week for a ground war against Taliban, the ruling militia in Afghanistan.
British officials in London have confirmed the plan and said the elite troops have been training for nearly a month in Omani desert, the report said.
They said the government of British Prime Minister Tony Blair will brief parliamentarians on the British troop deployment in Afghanistan. The deployment will include 1,000 Royal Marines now in Oman.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera satellite channel said that a British helicopter crashed into Omani Warship during the maneuver Sunday
No casualties were reported – Albawaba.com
