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Finnish Defence Forces

Finland to start withdrawing Afghan troops

Finland has announced plans to pull 50 soldiers out of Afghanistan next year. Finland has about 200 soldiers in crisis management operations in northern Afghanistan.

Suomalaiset rauhanturvaajat.
There are just under 200 Finnish peacekeepers in Afghanistan. Image: Yle / Ville Mättö

Finland’s president and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy agreed the withdrawal on Tuesday.

At present, 195 Finnish soldiers are engaged in NATO’s ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) operation. Finnish and Swedish troops work side by side in the same unit.

Sweden also plans to gradually reduce its forces in Afghanistan, withdrawing about a third of its troops in the country next year.

Security responsibility is to be handed over to Afghanistan’s authorities by 2014.

Sources: YLE