Estonia sends 150 troops to Afghanistan

Estonia has sent 150 troops to Afghanistan as part of its NATO mission.   The troops were deployed on Nov. 3  and will serve in the Helmand province.   A spokesman for the Estonian Ministry of Defense told the Baltic Times the troops would be the last contingent before Estonia pulls its soldiers out of the country.   "The Estonian president has said we will bring back our troops from sometime next year. There will be presidential elections in Afghanistan next year, so pulling out our troops will depend on how the elections go and the security situation in the country." he said.   The troops will be based at Camp Bastion and will serve alongside soldiers from the United Kingdom for around six months.   Seeing the soldiers off was UK Ambassador to Estonia, Chris Holtby who praised the security efforts.   He said: "The UK armed forces are very happy with close and deepening partnership with the Estonian military. Working now to do even more. Much trust and respect."   Elsewhere, Latvia sent 130 troops to the Mazar i Sharif reigon in Afghanistan last month as part of security operations.