A Protector aircraft taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington. Photo: Ministry of Defence
A Protector aircraft taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington. Photo: Ministry of Defence
A Protector aircraft taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington. Photo: Ministry of Defence
A Protector aircraft taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington. Photo: Ministry of Defence

World

UK

UK could use drones to attack terrorists in Afghanistan

Taliban have been urged to ensure country does not become safe haven for terrorists

Jamie Prentis
Jamie Prentis

September 10, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Britain could be prepared to carry out drone strikes in Afghanistan if the Taliban allows the country to again become a safe haven for terrorists.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the hint while visiting a factory where 16 Protector drones are being built for the UK military at a cost of £260 million ($360.97m).

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect citizens’ lives and our interests and our allies, when we’re called upon to do so, wherever that may be,” Mr Wallace said. Photo: Ministry of Defence
“I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect citizens’ lives and our interests and our allies, when we’re called upon to do so, wherever that may be,” Mr Wallace said. Photo: Ministry of Defence

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect citizens’ lives and our interests and our allies, when we’re called upon to do so, wherever that may be,” Mr Wallace said, when asked if drone strikes could be an option.

The Taliban rapidly took over Afghanistan’s provincial capitals last month after nearly two decades of conflict with Nato member states.

The West has told the Taliban that they must ensure terrorists are not allowed to freely operate in Afghanistan if the hardline group wants engagement with the international community.

The 9/11 attacks on the US 20 years ago were carried out by Al Qaeda, whose senior leaders were in Afghanistan at the time.

Mr Wallace said the drones are “being acquired to ensure that the UK can continue to intervene militarily overseas without the risk of having troops on the ground”.

“One of the options is to deploy anywhere in the world where there is an imminent threat to life, British life or our allies, where international law enables us to take action,” he said.

A Taliban fighter brandishes a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in Panjshir province, north-eastern Afghanistan. AP Photo
A Taliban fighter brandishes a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in Panjshir province, north-eastern Afghanistan. AP Photo
Taliban fighters stand guard in Panjshir province. Panjshir Valley was the last stronghold of anti-Taliban forces. AP Photo
Taliban fighters stand guard in Panjshir province. Panjshir Valley was the last stronghold of anti-Taliban forces. AP Photo
Weapons and other equipment are distributed among Taliban fighters in Panjshir. AP Photo
Weapons and other equipment are distributed among Taliban fighters in Panjshir. AP Photo
A group of Taliban fighters in Panjshir. The militants claim to have control of much of the area, following clashes with opposition groups. AP Photo
A group of Taliban fighters in Panjshir. The militants claim to have control of much of the area, following clashes with opposition groups. AP Photo
A Taliban fighter in military fatigues in Kabul. Demonstrators have taken to the streets of the Afghan capital and other cities to protest against the militant group's new government. EPA
A Taliban fighter in military fatigues in Kabul. Demonstrators have taken to the streets of the Afghan capital and other cities to protest against the militant group's new government. EPA
A Taliban fighter stands guard outside the former US embassy building in Kabul. On the wall opposite has been painted the group's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan government seal. EPA
A Taliban fighter stands guard outside the former US embassy building in Kabul. On the wall opposite has been painted the group's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan government seal. EPA
A Taliban fighter with a vehicle-mounted machine gun in Kabul. EPA
A Taliban fighter with a vehicle-mounted machine gun in Kabul. EPA
Members of a Taliban unit patrolling in Kabul. AFP
Members of a Taliban unit patrolling in Kabul. AFP

Mike Wigston, the head of the UK’s Royal Air Force, said the terrorist threat to the UK remained.

“It is not a matter of whether we are safer or not, it is just recognising violent extremists are out there,” he told Sky News.

“They would do us harm. They are quite willing to commit atrocities on the streets of the UK, and we have got to be ready to tackle them along with our allies.”

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

The biog

Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza

Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby

Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer

Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

More from Neighbourhood Watch
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bedu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaled%20Al%20Huraimel%2C%20Matti%20Zinder%2C%20Amin%20Al%20Zarouni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%2C%20metaverse%2C%20Web3%20and%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Currently%20in%20pre-seed%20round%20to%20raise%20%245%20million%20to%20%247%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%20funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

The Specs

Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now

England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29

Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETHE%20SPECS%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EEngine%3A%203.5-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%209-speed%20automatc%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20279hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20350Nm%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh250%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

While you're here
Updated: September 11, 2021, 6:42 PM
Afghanistan