Why are British troops in Afghanistan?

British armed forces in Afghanistan are part of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, which is normally called Nato-ISAF.

The British soldiers work with troops from many other countries.

Nato-ISAF's job is to help the new government by doing things like:

• Training the Afghan armed forces and police.

• Guarding important buildings.

• In parts of the country they also patrol the street in the way that the police do in Britain.

• Fighting armed groups including the Taliban and al-Qaeda.