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Union flag is lowered in Afghanistan in symbolic act marking the withdrawal of British troops following 20-year mission

The Union Jack has been lowered in Afghanistan in a symbolic act marking the withdrawal of British troops following a 20-year mission.  

The ceremony, carried out alongside American forces, honoured the 456 British troops killed in the country since the war began after 9/11.  

Thousands of British personnel have also been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured. 

The ceremonial lowering of the flag took place at Hamid Karzai International Airport, the Telegraph reported.

The striking of the flag, also known as the striking of the colours, is a deeply evocative military gesture which can be traced back to the surrender of ships in naval warfare. 

Around 750 UK troops were in Afghanistan, a small number are now still on the ground but are expected to fly out imminently, sources told The Telegraph.   

Wing Commander Matt Radnall, Officer Commanding 7 Force Protection Wing, carries a carefully folded Union Flag as the very last British troops board the last Chinook helicopter to leave Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as UK and Coalition forces carry out their Tactical Withdrawal finally leaving the base and handing it over to Afghan National Army

Wing Commander Matt Radnall, Officer Commanding 7 Force Protection Wing, carries a carefully folded Union Flag as the very last British troops board the last Chinook helicopter to leave Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as UK and Coalition forces carry out their Tactical Withdrawal finally leaving the base and handing it over to Afghan National Army

M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, during operation against Taliban forces in Barikyu, Nothern Helmand Province of Afghanistan in April, 2014

M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, during operation against Taliban forces in Barikyu, Nothern Helmand Province of Afghanistan in April, 2014

The final flights from the country will be carrying the Black Watch - the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots) - as part of a NATO desire to speed up the exit amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation as the Taliban gains ground. 

Italian and German troops quit the war zone earlier this week, while US soldiers will have finally exited by July 4 - bringing forward the symbolic deadline of September 11 previously set down by Joe Biden.   

NATO nations revealed earlier this year that they would leave Afghanistan in solidarity with Biden's decision that it was 'time to end the for ever war.'

The exit appears to have been expedited after intelligence reports suggested the Taliban could depose Afghanistan's elected government within months. 

Commenting on the loss of districts around the country to the Taliban, America's top general there, Austin Miller, said: 'A civil war is certainly a path that can be visualised if this continues… and that should be of concern to the world.'

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the defence select committee, told The Telegraph: 'It's clear withdrawal plans are being expedited in an attempt to get ahead of any potential Taliban attacks.

'This is far from what success was supposed to look like.'

The Tory praised the 'superb' professionalism of British troops over the last two decades but he lamented that the mission lacked 'any wider geopolitical strategy.'

Mr Ellwood predicted that 'Afghanistan is now likely to slide towards a full scale civil war.' 

The Taliban's resurgence, which has included attacks against civilians, is a matter of grave danger for hundreds of interpreters who helped British forces but are still stuck in Afghanistan. 

The last Union flag of Great Britain flying above the skies of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is lowered by Captain Matthew Clark and Warrant Officer 1 John Lilley in October 2014

The last Union flag of Great Britain flying above the skies of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is lowered by Captain Matthew Clark and Warrant Officer 1 John Lilley in October 2014

The Daily Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign has given hope to civilian workers facing reprisals. They want to start new lives in the UK but face an anxious wait while the British Embassy processes their applications.

Thousands of British personnel have also been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured

Thousands of British personnel have also been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured

Father-of-four Abdul, one of those waiting to see if he can move to the UK, said: 'It looks like the British are leaving us to face this uncertainty alone. We thought they'd be here until September but the timetable has changed again.

'Life is very dangerous now. I live in a district controlled by the Taliban and I've had to pull my children out of the local school because of the threat to them. There are insurgent checkpoints everywhere. It is a very frightening time.'

Another interpreter Sam, 34, whose brother was murdered on the doorstep of his home by the Taliban, said: 'The militants are stronger than they have been for years and they still want revenge on us for working for the British.

'It seems our friends and protectors have decided it is too dangerous for them to stay here. The danger to us is also higher while our cases are being processed.'

The first of what the interpreters call 'Freedom Flights' flew 35 families to the UK last week. Up to 3,500 Afghans will be offered the chance to relocate.

Some 500 Turkish troops at Kabul airport will assume security responsibilities when British and American troops leave. Some US Special Forces personnel will remain to support them.

Boris Johnson is expected to announce security plans for the British Embassy and the UK ambassador next week.

After details of the earlier US departure emerged yesterday, defence sources indicated British troops would be pulling out 'within days'. For security reasons, no precise details are being released. 

TALIBAN GAINS NEW GROUND: A lightning offensive by the Taliban which began in May has seen the group take control of vast swathes of rural Afghanistan and battle their way to the doorstep of major cities such as Kandahar, Herat and Kabul - with attacks on them expected soon

TALIBAN GAINS NEW GROUND: A lightning offensive by the Taliban which began in May has seen the group take control of vast swathes of rural Afghanistan and battle their way to the doorstep of major cities such as Kandahar, Herat and Kabul - with attacks on them expected soon

Militiamen gather near Kabul on June 23 this year to pledge their allegiance to the Afghan government in preparation for a Taliban assault that is threatening to overwhelm major cities

Militiamen gather near Kabul on June 23 this year to pledge their allegiance to the Afghan government in preparation for a Taliban assault that is threatening to overwhelm major cities

Hundreds of militiamen shout 'death to the Taliban' as they join government forces in Kabul on June 23 ahead of what is expected to be a major jihadist assault

Hundreds of militiamen shout 'death to the Taliban' as they join government forces in Kabul on June 23 ahead of what is expected to be a major jihadist assault

The Ministry of Defence said last night: 'The UK is involved in ongoing discussions with US and international allies regarding the future of our support to Afghanistan.'

Last night, the former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt insisted British soldiers upheld their reputation in battle against the Taliban after 'errors of near biblical proportion' had handed the militants every advantage.

He said: 'I am very saddened by what appears to be happening in Afghanistan as it looks like a rapid implosion in security could occur.

'I would never say it was not worth it but the present situation makes it so much harder to argue that British troops did not die in vain. Sadly their tactical endeavours and their sacrifices did not achieve strategic stability.'

He added: 'The campaign has been very expensive for us in blood and treasure.'

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