Afghan people are warming to troops (From Echo)

Afghan people are warming to troops

7:20am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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A SOLDIER who has returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan believes British troops are playing a vital role in bringing peace to the war-torn country.

Graham Ablett, 30, has just returned after a six-and-a-half-month tour, the second time he has fought against the Taleban.

Pte Ablett, of the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, said he saw a difference in people’s attitudes towards the coalition troops this time around.

“The first time when I was out there, in 2007, it was a lot more hostile. They made it clear they didn’t want us there,” said Pte Ablett, from Canvey.

“I found the first tour quite hard.

“The fire fights were also a lot more drawn out and there were more of them.

“But the second time, I found it had changed. The villagers were coming up to us and giving us information on where the Taleban fighters were.

“That wouldn’t have happened two years earlier. It’s like the people realise we are not just going to blow up their country and then leave.

“I think they know we are there because we want to help them.”

Pte Ablett, who ditched his job as a care assistant at Southend Hospital to sign up to the Army four years ago, added: “The children out there are very friendly. They are always running up to us and asking for sweets, pencils and playing cards – anything we have.”

Pte Ablett, who is married to Emma, 24, has mainly served with the Royal Anglians in the north-eastof the country, away from the notorious Helmand Province.

He added: “I have no doubt I’ll probably be sent out to Afghanistan again at some point and I don’t mind.

“If I go back, I’m hopeful things would have improved even more. I would expect to see the Afghan army to be taking more of a lead in things.

“We get on well with the Afghan troops. They are friendly and we can have a laugh with them. They will often invite us to their huts for dinner and to play cards.

“Fortunately I haven’t lost any close friends from my unit, but it’s something you hear about all the time when you are out there.”