Luxembourg Soldiers Return from NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan

Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence and the Luxembourg Army have announced the return of a non-commissioned officer and a volunteer soldier from the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan to the Grand Duchy.

On Wednesday 19 May 2021, a non-commissioned officer and a volunteer soldier from the Luxembourg Army returned to the Grand Duchy after spending three months within the NATO RSM in Afghanistan. The return was made via Germany, from Camp Marmal to Mazar-e-Sharif, which is under the responsibility of the German framework nation.

In April 2021, the Allies decided to begin the withdrawal of the forces deployed as part of this RSM, which was set up in January 2015 to provide training, advice and assistance to Afghan security forces and institutions. The withdrawal of RSM forces began on 1 May 2021 and is expected to be completed in a few months. The mission was launched following the completion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in December 2014, when responsibility for security in Afghanistan was transferred to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).

This withdrawal closes a nearly 20-year NATO presence in Afghanistan. According to the Directorate of Defence and the Luxembourg Army, the purpose of the mission in Afghanistan was to ensure that the country did not become a place of refuge for terrorists, who could then attack other countries. The authorities noted that Afghanistan is different from what it was in 2001; the country has evolved with the support of NATO and the international community, at a significant human and financial cost. They added that life expectancy is greater, infant mortality has decreased and more children are going to school, including girls, now than before. More women are active in public life than in recent decades. There is better infrastructure and the Afghan forces, trained by the RSM mission, are considered more professional and capable than ever. However, it has so far not been possible to guarantee peace and stop Taliban attacks in Afghanistan.

The authorities noted that the political outcome will depend on the success of the inter-Afghan peace process, which is currently taking place, with the support of the international community. Together with its NATO and European Union (EU) partners, Luxembourg will continue to be involved in Afghanistan to guarantee the fragile gains of the last 20 years.

Since 2003, the Luxembourg Army has carried out 49 rotations with 333 people in Afghanistan within the ISAF and RSM missions, without suffering any human loss.