LONDON — The deaths of eight British soldiers in Afghanistan within 24 hours triggered a debate in Britain on Saturday that could undercut public support for the war just as the U.S. is ramping up its own participation in the conflict.
With pictures of hearses and anguished relatives splashed across Britain’s influential media, the government is under pressure to explain the reason for the soldiers’ sacrifice and to defend the quality of its support for combat troops.
The deaths, on Thursday and Friday, pushed Britain’s overall toll in Afghanistan to 184 — five more than the total British deaths in the Iraq war. The number is less than a third of the 657 American forces’ deaths since the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, according to U.S. figures.
Increasing British unease could have severe consequences for the Americans. With other European nations unwilling to send in more troops — and Afghan forces not ready to take up overall security — Britain’s support is crucial to the American effort.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended his country’s course Saturday after the spike in combat deaths. In a letter to a senior parliamentary committee, he said that despite recent casualties, commanders in Afghanistan thought that they were succeeding in their objectives.
“This is a fight to clear terrorist networks from Afghanistan and Pakistan, to support the elected governments in both countries against the Taliban, to tackle the heroin trade which funds terrorism and the insurgency, and to build longer term stability,” he wrote.
Britain moved into Afghanistan with the United States shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as part of a coalition hoping to root out terrorism and build a stable government able to extinguish the Taliban.
President Barack Obama said Saturday that the British contribution to the war was critical.
“This is not an American mission,” he told Sky News, noting European nations also have a great stake in its success.
“The likelihood of a terrorist attack in London is at least as high, if not higher, than it is in the United States. And that’s the reason why (former Prime Minister) Tony Blair, and now Gordon Brown, have made this commitment. It is not because they wish to put their young men and women in harm’s way.”
By the numbers
184 British deaths in Afghanistan — five more than total British deaths in the Iraq war.
8,000 British troops fighting in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan
68,000 Expected number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan by the end of this year, up from 57,000
