Fifth Report - Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Select Committee
Defence Committee
HC 725
10 February 2023
Government response
Fifth Special Report - Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Government Reponse to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 28 Apr 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 19
The signing of the Doha Agreement served domestic US Administration priorities, by enabling the withdrawal...
Conclusion
The signing of the Doha Agreement served domestic US Administration priorities, by enabling the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan to a defined schedule. The absence of the United Kingdom, other allies and the Afghan Government from the negotiating table …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that US negotiations were bilateral, UK influence was limited, and that the UK advocated for a continued presence while noting the increasing chance of a collapse at some point.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 25
Although the Defence Secretary assured us that he had attempted to find a way to...
Conclusion
Although the Defence Secretary assured us that he had attempted to find a way to retain a military presence in Afghanistan without the US, we recognise how difficult this would have been in practice. This shows the limits of NATO’s …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that US negotiations were bilateral, UK influence was limited, and that the UK advocated for a continued presence while noting the increasing chance of a collapse at some point.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 32
Optimism bias and failures in intelligence and analysis meant that the rapid collapse of the...
Conclusion
Optimism bias and failures in intelligence and analysis meant that the rapid collapse of the Afghan Government was a greater surprise to the military establishment than it might have been.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion and states that the UK's influence on the decision to withdraw was limited by the US-led process, but the UK made its concerns clear and advocated for a continued presence. The government also requested an extension to the withdrawal date which was rejected.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
4
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 35
If the initial goal of the NATO deployment was mainly to prevent terrorist attacks against...
Conclusion
If the initial goal of the NATO deployment was mainly to prevent terrorist attacks against Western nations originating in Afghanistan, current evidence suggests that while there have been no such recent attacks to date, Afghanistan is once again becoming a …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the adverse impact on regional security and states that it had actively worked to avoid a full withdrawal, while noting the improvements made during the 20-year campaign and ongoing monitoring of the security situation.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Technically, NATO forces were not defeated in Afghanistan.
Conclusion
Technically, NATO forces were not defeated in Afghanistan. However, this must not prevent the recognition that the end of the NATO mission has been severely detrimental both to the people of Afghanistan and to the security of the region, as …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that the fall of Kabul had an adverse impact on regional security, and the MOD and FCDO are actively monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 49
We welcome the award of medals to Armed Forces personnel who served on Operation PITTING,...
Conclusion
We welcome the award of medals to Armed Forces personnel who served on Operation PITTING, and recognise the success of the military operation element of the evacuation from Afghanistan—though this must not mask the wider context that the operation was …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the recognition of the military's success in the evacuation and the medallic recognition for personnel involved, while noting that the Taliban advance was expected but the timing was hard to gauge.
Ministry of Defence
View Details
7
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 50
The same praise, however, cannot be given to the efforts of the UK Government’s civilian...
Conclusion
The same praise, however, cannot be given to the efforts of the UK Government’s civilian operations in support of the evacuation. Our colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee have taken extensive evidence and reached persuasive findings in these areas. While …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's reflection on supporting civilians during the Afghanistan withdrawal and offers observations about the ARAP process, highlighting constraints and challenges faced during the operation.
Ministry of Defence
View Details