Spanish troops will start leaving Afghanistan

Defence officials in Spain have announced to end its mission in Qala-i-Naw and to withdraw troops to the main base in Herat province. The Defence General Staff said that this move will bring forward the date for the repatriation of Spanish troops.

Following the closure of bases at Ludina and Moqur, 45 troops are ready to return to Spain, and according to reports, troops from other units that have been deactivated are also waiting  to return.

This will limit presence of Spanish troops to the western Herat province of Afghanistan and the final withdrawal is planned for 2014.

Around 1,400 troops from Spain have been deployed under the NATO led International Security Assistance Force mission and approximately 100 Spanish military personnel have been killed since the mission started in Afghanistan, mostly in air accidents.