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UK combat troops head to Afghanistan

UK troops will assist U.S. troops already in Afghanistan

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Up to 1,700 British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan to support U.S. operations, British Defence Minister Geoffrey Hoon said.

He told the House of Commons on Monday that the troops initially will be deployed at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul and will be ready to take part in offensive operations by mid-April.

The minister said it was the biggest British offensive operation since the Gulf War and warned there may be casualties.

"The deployment of 45 Commando Group is not a decision that has been taken lightly. It is our largest military deployment for combat operations since the Gulf conflict," said Hoon.

EXTRA INFORMATION In depth: War against terror

"It is important that the House is under no illusions about what this might mean. These troops are being deployed to Afghanistan to take part in war-fighting operations.

"We will be asking them to risk their lives. Their missions will be conducted in unforgiving and hostile terrain against a dangerous enemy.

"They may suffer casualties. No government ever makes such decisions without reaching the absolute conviction that it is something that must be done."

Following the September 11 terror attacks in the U.S., Britain pledged 1,500 troops to the multinational peacekeeping force, ISAF.

The troops, who began arriving in December 2001, provided security in the Kabul area.

Britain command of ISAF expires on April 1, and it is eager to hand control to Turkey.