Hospitals treating British troops wounded by Afghan insurgents are under growing pressure, a watchdog has warned ahead of a major offensive expected to trigger a fresh surge in casualties.
Medical centres in both Afghanistan and Britain are struggling to cope with mounting numbers of injuries amid increasingly fierce opposition from Taliban-led enemies, Britain's public spending watchdog said on Wednesday.
Two major treatment centres in Britain - the main hospital for dealing with seriously injured troops, and the main rehabilitation centre - are "under increasing pressure," said the National Audit Office.
"In addition, the main field hospital in Afghanistan - Camp Bastion - is currently coping with casualty levels, but working close to capacity," it said.
The warning came after Britain's defence minister told the country to brace for new casualties when the country's troops take part in Operation Mushtarak (Together) in Helmand Province, expected to begin with days.
"Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations," said Bob Ainsworth.
Thousands of Afghan, US and NATO forces are expected to launch the operation in a bid to clear the Taliban out of Marjah, home to some 80,000 people, and expand the control of the Western-backed Afghan government.
Reports say around 4,000 British troops will be involved in the assault, which has been hailed by officers as the biggest offensive of the eight-year war.
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