Ross Kemp returns to Afghanistan in Back On The Frontline, and our good friends over at Sky TV caught up with him to discuss what drove him back to Afghanistan.
Once more on familiar territory for a new five-part series, Ross embeds with Whiskey Company 45 Commando Royal Marines, some of the country’s toughest soldiers, to find out what has changed ten years on from 9/11. Here, he tells us about his experiences this time around, and what the future holds for the war-torn country.
What drove you to return to Afghanistan?
It’s the third series, but it’s my tenth trip. The remit is that it’s ten years on since the American and British forces went in to search for Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. We know we’re pulling out troops in 2014, but I am of the view that British troops will still remain in an advisory force, and while we were there we actually went out on an experiment of how they may operate on the ground.
How have things changed since you first went? Do you still feel at risk?
It depends where you go. Afghanistan is never going to be a safe country. The problems are so complex. You’ve got Tajiks, Uzbeks, Pashtuns, all inside their different tribes, and you’ve got different levels of superiority. Corruption is the main staple for everybody. Basically everybody is on the take. Supply chains for the new National Army have to be incorruptible for it work. Unfortunately the country works on corruption so how is that ever going to happen?
How has the death of Osama bin Laden changed things?
I was on the ground in 2011 and no one mentioned it. Most of the people in the southern part of Helmand don’t even know who he is. I ask British families why they think British soldiers were in Afghanistan and you hear, ‘to get the oil’ or, ‘to get Bin Laden’. I think if you ask the average Pashtun family in southern Helmand, they wouldn’t know either. There is just another series of foreigners who have come to their country.
Can you tell us a little about your experiences this time?
We spent time with the men of Whiskey Company 45 Commando and we looked at how counter insurgency has become a major role of ISAF [International Security Assistance Forces] in most parts of Helmand now. Bear in mind our area of operation has shrunk from being half the size of England to about the size of Kent. That has helped, even though we know that a tragic number of soldiers are dying and still losing limbs out there. There has been a downward shift in the amount of people who have been hurt this summer, which is good news for everybody. We’re not taking away from the fact many people are hurt and the families suffered. We visit the family of one of the Royal Marines who died whilst I was out there last time.
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