Why is the army in Afghanistan?

For anybody who has forgotten, here is a very basic reminder of why our soldiers are in Afghanistan.

In 2001, as part of the its response to 9/11, the UK launched Operation Veritas, which, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, attacked Al Qaeda (the group responsible for 9/11) in Afghanistan.

In October, 2001, UK naval and air forces were involved in the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. Subsequently, the Royal marines launched Operation JACANA, a ground attack on Al Qaeda. By the end of 2001, Al Qaeda had been hammered out of much of Afghanistan and was forced to take refuge in Pakistan.

In December 2001, the UN set up the International Security Assistance Force to help stabilise Afghanistan and to ensure a stable government there. The ISAF established regional Provincial Reconstruction Teams which report to regional co-ordinators in Northern (at Mazar-e-Sharif), Western (at Herat) and Southern (at Khanadar) areas of Afghanistan. The British forces within the ISAF, (under the name Operation Herrick) currently numbering about 4,000, are concentrated in the south, around the provinces of Helmand, Zabol, Kandahar and Oruzgan.

The PRTs have yet to be expanded to the Eastern area. Indeed, their writ does not run fully throughout much of the rest of country. Before that can happen, insurgents, most significantly, Taliban, need to be tamed. These are the thugs trying to ambush and kill British servicemen. The current Operation MEDUSA aims to sort the buggers out; according to recent reports there are now 200-250 less Taliban than a week ago.

Click for map of Afghanistan

MoD Background Briefing 1
MoD Background Briefing 2

The Guardian has a helpful interactive guide.