Britain's role in the campaign against terrorism shifted into a significant new phase last night with confirmation that up to 100 Royal Marines were on the ground in Afghanistan. Senior defence sources confirmed the troops from 45 Royal Marines commando unit landed at Bagram airport, north of Kabul, yesterday to secure the airport and clear a path into the capital city for future humanitarian missions in the area.
"They are to carry out technical tasks in connection with future humanitarian tasks," a senior defence source said. More than 4,000 British troops are on stand-by to go into the region, including members of the Parachute Regiment and other Royal Marines commandos.
It is believed the first wave of Royal Marines deployed near Kabul will secure key areas ahead of the deployment of further ground troops, whose role in the humanitarian effort will involve securing and clearing regions to enable aid to get to the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman advised that while thousands of troops were on short-term stand-by, "there is no assumption yet that they are definitely going to be deployed". It is expected Britain's pledge to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the US will involve the use of special forces and other ground troops to track down Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda terrorist network.
The development came as the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, emphasised the military campaign was far from over. Mr Blair struck a cautious note following meetings in Downing Street with the European Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, and the Austrian Chancellor, Mr Wolfgang Schⁿssel.
Mr Blair stressed European "solidarity" was central to the coalition against terrorism, adding: "What we do know is, what many people feared, which was an immediate bloodbath, has not happened. Of course there will still be fighting, because the military conflict is not yet over. Let me emphasise once again that this is not a conflict that is yet over. We still have to achieve our objectives."
At the same time, the Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, issued a stark warning that his followers were committed to America's destruction, and it would come soon.
In an interview with the BBC's World Service Pashtun language radio, Mullah Omar said the Taliban was not demoralised and preferred death rather than accept an "evil" Western-sponsored coalition government in Afghanistan.
The situation in Afghanistan was directly linked to a "big cause", namely the destruction of America, Mullah Omar said, and the Taliban "plan" would be carried out shortly. "But it is a huge task, which is beyond the will and comprehension of human beings."