Guest
Guest
Oct 12, 2021
4:04 AM
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Commemorations have been held to mark the 20th anniversary of the start of UK military operations in Afghanistan.
Wreaths were laid in the UK at exactly 11:00 in Afghan time in remembrance of 457 British personnel killed there.
UK troops left Afghanistan at the end of August, bringing an end to the 20-year war. pg
"The hurt never goes away," said Claire Hill, whose only son James was killed in 2009. "We have to believe he did make a difference."
The war in Afghanistan began on 7 October 2001, with American-led coalition airstrikes against airports and terrorist training camps in response to the 11 September terror attacks in the US.
Two small wreath-laying ceremonies took place place in the UK at 07:30 BST - which was 11:00 in Afghanistan, the traditional time for military remembrance.
The Ministry of Defence said the ceremonies were planned to honour "the courage and commitment of its people" during the two decades of conflict.
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