Britain's Prince Harry banned from fighting in Afghanistan:
report
Britain's Prince Harry will not be allowed to fight on the front
line in Afghanistan, The Mail on Sunday newspaper said, citing
senior sources in the prince's regiment.
Harry, third in line to the throne, reportedly threatened to quit
the British Army if he was blocked from active service due to
safety fears and any such decision is likely to infuriate the
22-year-old.
Although a formal decision has yet to be made, sources in the
Household Cavalry told the weekly tabloid that they thought it was
too dangerous for him to deploy in Afghanistan.
The southern Helmand province, where the bulk of about 4,500
British troops in Afghanistan are operating, has seen fierce
fighting this year as soldiers take on resurgent Taliban rebels
loyal to the deposed Islamist regime.
Senior officers reckon the intensity of Taliban attacks is so
severe that they could not risk a constitutional crisis by putting
Harry's life on the line, The Mail on Sunday said.
As Second Lieutenant Wales, Harry is training to become a troop
commander, in charge of 11 enlisted soldiers and four light
tanks.
A senior cavalry source told the newspaper that it would boost
morale if Harry were allowed to deploy. However, even if he was
confined to headquarters, he would still be subject to rocket
attacks.
"The fact is that his royal appointment could make him a target and
put the lives of his soldiers in danger and while he will regret
the decision I know he will appreciate and understand the thinking
and evaluation behind it," the source said.
Harry is keen to get into combat zones.
In September 2005, Harry said: "There's no way I'm going to put
myself through Sandhurst (training academy) and then sit on my arse
back home while my boys are out fighting for their country."
In The Mail on Sunday report, the Ministry of Defence said: "The
intention is that Prince Harry will play as full a part as he can
during his Army career, including participating in operations and
exercises.
"The decision whether or not to deploy the prince on an operation
would be made at the point when his unit were formally scheduled to
deploy."
Clarence House, the offical residence of Harry's father Prince
Charles, said: "No formal recommendation has been made to
us."
