Singapore ends Army deployment in Afghanistan

Singapore: Singapore, that had deployed around 500 army personnel in Afghanistan, have ended their six-year mission in the country.

"The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)`s deployment in Afghanistan has been one of the longest and most wide-ranging overseas deployments for us, Singapore`s Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh said. "Our soldiers have consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and commitment in carrying out their duties", the Channel News Asia today quoted Singh as saying. "Our international partners speak highly of the SAF as a ready and reliable partner. We are grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the global fight against terrorism and help the Afghan people," said Singh during the completion ceremony held at the Multinational Base Tarin Kowt located in Oruzgan on June 22. The Major-General called on the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) General Joseph Dunford on completing Singapore`s deployment. Singh expressed his appreciation to the ISAF for the support given to SAF troops in the past six years of the SAF`s operations in Afghanistan. Dunford said, "The Singapore Army has been a valuable contributor to the ability of the Afghans to take the lead; from training their artillery forces to supporting us with our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, to assisting us in our strategic communications, to the medical and dental support. All those contributions by Singapore have truly made a difference." The SAF deployed close to 500 personnel to Afghanistan since May 2007 as part of Singapore`s contributions to the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts there. PTI