More than a dozen former British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan kill themselves within two months – The Independent
More than a dozen former British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan have died by suicide in a short period of time, it has been reported.
The Times reportedthat some 14 former and serving army personnel are thought to have killed themselves in the past two months.
MP Johnny Mercer told the newspaper in an interview he was concerned over the cluster of deaths involving a specific unit that served at a specific time in Afghanistan the bloodiest time.
Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
The Minister for Defence People and Veterans was referring to veterans involved in Operation Herrick, which is the codename for all British operations conducted between 2002 and 2014 in Afghanistan.
By the end of 2014, 453 soldiers died during Operation Herrick. According to the Ministry of Defence(MoD), there were 29 coroner-confirmed suicides and open verdict deaths of army personnel who were previously deployed to Operation Herrick as of February 2018.
An artist at Madame Tussauds in London fits the museum's waxwork of Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a baby carrier, following the recent announcement that he is expecting a baby with partner Carrie Symonds
PA
A man dressed as Dewi Sant leads the St David's day parade in Cardiff, where hundreds of people march through the city in celebration of the patron saint of Wales. Dewi Sant (Saint David in English) was the Welsh bishop of Mynyw (now St Davids) during the 6th century
PA
A home flooded after the River Aire burst its banks in East Cowick, East Yorkshire
Getty
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in a "Youth Strike 4 Climate" protest march in Bristol, south west England. "Activism works, so I ask you to act," she said
AFP/Getty
Campaigners cheer outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after they won a Court of Appeal challenge against controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow
PA
Temporary barriers have been overwhelmed by flood water in Bewdley, Shropshire
Getty
Players take part in the Atherstone Ball Game in Warwickshire. The game honours a match played between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1199, when teams used a bag of gold as a ball, and which was won by Warwickshire
PA
A couple shelter from waves crashing over the promenade in Folkestone, Kent, as bad weather continues to cause problems across the country
PA
Viking re-enactors during the Jorvik Viking Festival in York, recognised as the largest event of its kind in Europe
PA
Former Greek Finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and editor in chief of WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsonn attend a protest against the extradition of Julian Assange outside the Australian High Commission in London
Reuters
A worker recovers stranded vehicles from flood water on the A761 in Paisley, Scotland
Getty
Police officers outside Regents Park mosque in central London after a man was reportedly been stabbed in the neck. Footage from the scene showed a young white man in a red hooded top being led from the mosque by police
Reuters
Floodwaters surround Upton upon Seven following Storm Dennis
Getty Images
Models on the catwalk during the Bobby Abley show at London Fashion Week
PA
Rachel Cox inspecting flood damage in her kitchen in Nantgarw, south Wales, where residents are returning to their homes to survey and repair the damage in the aftermath of Storm Dennis
PA
Teme Street in Tenbury Wells is seen under floodwater from the overflowing River Teme, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain
AFP via Getty
Models present creations at the Richard Quinn catwalk show during London Fashion Week in London
Reuters
Climate change protesters march through Whitehall, London
PA
Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years
EPA
Hill farmer Tommy Aitchison from North Shortcleugh farm feeds his sheep in Elvanfoot, Scotland. A yellow warning for snow and ice remains in place across most of Scotland, police have reported a number of crashes across the region with many routes affected by snow and ice
Getty
Robyn Peoples, left, 26, and Sharni Edwards, 27, at the Loughshore Hotel, in Carrickfergus, after they became the first couple to have a same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland
PA
Waves crash over a lorry on Blackpool waterfront as weather warnings for wind, snow and ice have been issued across large parts of the country. A day after the UK is trying to recover from the battering from Storm Ciara
PA
Residents attempt to remove water from their property as the streets flood in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, as Storm Ciara hits the UK
PA
England's Ellis Genge celebrates scoring the first try of their Six Nations match against Scotland with teammates. The weather at Murrayfield Stadium hampered the playing conditions, with winds and rain from Storm Ciara approaching the UK. The away side won the match late on, with the scoreline ending 6-13
Reuters
Activists surround a wooden trojan horse in the courtyard of the British Museum in London. The horse, which is 4 metres tall and can seat 10 people inside, was pulled in by a group of supporters with flags reading "BP Must Fall"
BP or not BP/PA
Members of the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme team examine a dead whale that died after becoming stranded in the Thames estuary at Medway over the weekend
PA
Children from Oaklands Secondary School in Bethnal Green and Families Belong Together campaigners in Westminster before handing a petition in to the Home Office, as they call on the government to amend the UK's refugee family reunion laws
PA
Rasputin the polar bear, shakes off water as he is unveiled at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
PA
Police activity inside a cordon where a man was shot by armed police in a terrorist-related incident in Streatham, London
EPA
Micheal Ward with his Rising Star Award alongside Daniel Kaluuya Baftas
Reuters
Activists attend an anti-Conservative government, pro-Scottish independence, and anti-Brexit demonstration outside Holyrood, the seat of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
AFP/Getty
Pro EU supporters display a banner ' Here to Stay, Here to Fight, Migrants In, Tories Out' from Westminster bridge in front of the Houses of Parliament in London. Britain officially exits the EU on 31 January, beginning an eleven month transition period
EPA
Kiko the 2-year-old British Bulldog skateboarding with his owner, Ebel Perez, from Shiremoor, North Tyneside
PA
British MEP's and their assistants along with members of the political group Socialist and Democrats at a ceremony prior to the vote on the UK's withdrawal from the EU at the European Parliament in Brussels
AP
Torches are lit using a flare ahead of the Up Helly Aa Viking festival. Originating in the 1880s, the festival celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage
PA
England bowler Mark Wood is lifted aloft by Joe Root after taking the final wicket of South Africa to win the match and series during day four of the Fourth Test at Wanderers in Johannesburg
Getty
Performers taking part in a parade involving costumes, lion dances and floats, during Chinese New Year celebrations in central London, which marks the Year of the Rat
PA
A couple walks along the Basingstoke canal near to Dogmersfield in Hampshire
PA
Boris Johnson gestures as he watches a performance during celebrations for Chinese Lunar New Year at Downing Street in London
Reuters
Gabriella Zaghari-Ratcliffe stands next to her father Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and his mother Barbara, as they address the media in Downing Street following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson
PA
Rosa Connolly takes a close look during a preview of the Tyrannosaurs exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
PA
The sun sets behind tower cranes and the London skyline in the city financial district
PA
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson as they attend the UK-Africa Investment Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel in London. Johnson is hosting African leaders and senior government representatives along with British and African businesses during the UK-Africa Investment Summit, aimed at strengthening the UKs economic partnership with African nations
Getty
Joe Root celebrates with his England team mates after taking the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen during day four of the third Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth. He took a career-best four wickets during the day's play, which saw the home side follow on in their second innings. They trail England by 188 runs going into day five
Getty
Drag queens pose on the pink carpet as they participate in the "Queen's Walk" during RuPaul's DragCon UK at Kensington Olympia
AFP via Getty
Kitty Ross, curator of social history, is pictured reflected in a display cabinet while holding a skeleton violin from the 1880s that forms part of the Sounds of our City exhibition at the Abbey House Museum in Leeds
PA
Britain's Harry, Duke of Sussex (C), hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, 16 January 2020. The Duke, who is expected to step back from senior Royal duties, spoke with Ruby League ambassadors and children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in London
EPA
The rest is here:
More than a dozen former British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan kill themselves within two months - The Independent
- What to know about the Taliban in Afghanistan - NBC News - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Women displaced in eastern Afghanistan face hunger, insecurity, and trauma amid renewed conflict - UN Women - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- World News in Brief: Updates from Gaza, the West Bank and Afghanistan, UN development reforms, change at the top of WFP - UN News - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- After escaping the Taliban and years in exile, Afghanistan womens soccer team rises again - AP News - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Faiq: Afghanistan Elected as One of the Vice Presidents of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly - Hasht-e Subh Daily - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Water, Climate and Survival in Afghanistan: A dossier of reports on the environment - Afghanistan Analysts Network - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Video: After escaping the Taliban, Afghanistan women's soccer team rises again - LiveTube - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Pakistan, EU Concerned Over Terrorism and Human Rights in Afghanistan - KabulNow - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Nearly 2,000 People Returned to Afghanistan as Forced Returns Continue - Hasht-e Subh Daily - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- India vs Afghanistan: Mohammed Siraj's availability hangs in the balance; Auqib Nabi on standby for one-o - The Times of India - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Afghanistan urges UNODC to expand alternative livelihoods for farmers - AnewZ - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- Only 16 Percent Of Aid Funding For Afghanistan Has Been Met, Says UN - - June 3rd, 2026 [June 3rd, 2026]
- World News in Brief: Conflict drives hunger in DR Congo, mass corporal punishment in Afghanistan, Earths sand is running out - Welcome to the United... - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Afghanistan crisis deepens as record returns, drought and aid cuts strain economy - Welcome to the United Nations - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- In Afghanistan, Pakistan Tastes Its Own Medicine - The National Interest - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Afghanistan: A Crossland Geography at the Heart of the Heartland-Rimland Rivalry - Hasht-e Subh Daily - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- International Nurses Day: Afghanistan's Nurses Under the Shadow of Crisis, Pressure, and Neglect - Hasht-e Subh Daily - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- World News in Brief: Human rights in Mongolia, surge in sexual violence in Haiti, worsening hunger in Afghanistan - Welcome to the United Nations - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Latest UN update on the Human rights Situation in Afghanistan covering January to March 2026 - unmissions.org - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Central Asia and Afghanistan: Water Cooperation at a Critical Juncture - Caspianpost.com - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Mohammad Sadiq and Gemma Huggins Discuss Presence of Terrorist Groups in Afghanistan - Hasht-e Subh Daily - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- UN Calls for Expanded Access to Healthcare and Mental Health Services for Women in Afghanistan - Hasht-e Subh Daily - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Pakistan PM Adviser Claims Thousands of Militants Are Being Trained in Afghanistan - thekabultribune.com - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- UN says 372 civilians killed in Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes this year - Yahoo - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Memorializing Canadas involvement in the war in Afghanistan - MSN - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Bumrah and Siraj in spotlight as India plans full-strength squad for Afghanistan test - The Indian EYE - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Pakistan protests to Afghanistan over suicide attack that killed 15 officers - Boston Herald - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- The womens rights crisis in Afghanistan is an ongoing humanitarian calamity - The Conversation - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Pakistan protests to Afghanistan over suicide attack that killed 15 officers - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- David Fernandez Puyana: Afghanistan Needs a New Social Order Based on the Rule of Law and Justice - Hasht-e Subh Daily - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- The Athletic: Meet Karl-Anthony Towns biggest fan the mother of a Marine killed in Afghanistan - NBA - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Pakistan protests to Afghanistan over suicide attack that killed 15 officers - Temple Daily Telegram - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Pakistan protests to Afghanistan over suicide attack that killed 15 officers - MSN - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Pakistan protests to Afghanistan over suicide attack that killed 15 officers - The Independent - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Afghanistan signs five-year, $20m gold mining deal, including with Azerbaijan - AnewZ - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- 'Start increasing workload': BCCI sends message to hopefuls ahead of Afghanistan one-off Test - MSN - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Pakistan protests to Afghanistan over suicide attack that killed 15 - The Business Standard - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- One killed in clash over gold mine in northeastern Afghanistan - Amu TV - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Worlds most unsafe countries for women: Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria ranked lowest in global women safet - The Times of India - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Strong demarche issued to Afghanistan after Bannu attack - Aaj English TV - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Signing of Memorandums of Understanding worth $112 million between the private sectors of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan - () - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- The fight for an Afghanistan women's team isn't only about soccer to its advocates - San Francisco Chronicle - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Saudi Arabia Unites with Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and More Nations in a Historic Partnership to Drive... - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Why We Retracted a Report About Violence in Afghanistan - Christianity Today - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Meet Karl-Anthony Towns biggest fan the mother of a Marine killed in Afghanistan - The Athletic - The New York Times - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan: Why is the Durand Line on fire? - The New Arab - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- From Life in Afghanistan to Life in West Hartford: One Womans Success - We-Ha - West Hartford News - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Former war reporter from Rochester reflects on time in Iraq and Afghanistan, weighs in on Iran coverage - WHEC.com - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- The fight for an Afghanistan women's team isn't only about soccer to its advocates - Bedford Gazette - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Women Living Under Taliban Rule: The Systematic Erasure of Rights and Freedom - Future Afghanistan - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- The fight for an Afghanistan women's team isn't only about soccer to its advocates - Oskaloosa Herald - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Afghanistan Food Security Outlook Update, April - September 2026: Food access to improve with the harvest for millions starting in May - ReliefWeb - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Opinion: Hormuz Crisis Pushes Afghanistan Aid Routes Toward Central Asia - The Times Of Central Asia - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Battle for Afghanistan womens team is about more than just soccer - Washington Times - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Afghanistan futsal team climbs to 21st in FIFA rankings - Pajhwok Afghan News - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Afghanistan destroys nearly 20 tons of narcotics in Helmand operation - lke Haber Ajans - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- UN: Retaining Walls Have Protected Afghanistan's Rural Communities from Devastating Floods - Hasht-e Subh Daily - May 9th, 2026 [May 9th, 2026]
- Afghanistan says cross-border attacks by Pakistan hit civilian areas and killed 3 - AP News - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Five questions on the status of womens and girls rights in Afghanistan - School of Foreign Service | Georgetown University - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan unite to protect millions of children in synchronized polio campaigns - Global Polio Eradication - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Speaking Up for Girls Education Carries Heavy Risks in Afghanistan - ipsnews.net - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- As a teacher in Afghanistan, she tested the water fountains every morning to protect her girls from poison - Good Good Good News - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- UNICEF: 610,000 Children in Afghanistan Received Life-Saving Therapeutic Food Last Year - 8am.media - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- EU Parliament to Review Petition Urging Recognition of Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan - KabulNow - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- OCHA Provides Aid to More Than 31,000 Flood-Affected People in Afghanistan - 8am.media - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- The Deflection Policy: Afghanistan, ISIS-K, And The Manufacture Of Narrative OpEd - Eurasia Review - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- United States joins Mexico, Pakistan, India, Iran and Afghanistan to warn travellers for high-risk southern border regions : Latest Update - Travel... - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Afghanistan calls on Afghans who helped US in war and are now stuck in Qatar to return home - WBAL News Radio - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- WHO: One Mother Dies Every Hour in Afghanistan - thekabultribune.com - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Ministers break ground for the National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan - CBC - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- International Day of the Midwife: UN Calls for Investment in Midwives in Afghanistan - 8am.media - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Shelter Cluster Afghanistan: Southern Region Monthly Snapshot (as of March 2026) - ReliefWeb - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Shelter Cluster Afghanistan: Northern Region Monthly Snapshot (as of March 2026) - ReliefWeb - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Im an Afghanistan veteran. Ben Roberts-Smith should face the rule of law - Crikey - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Former Pakistan Envoy Says Afghanistan Stability Hinges on Inclusive Rule - Khaama Press - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- I watched my brother die of starvation in Afghanistan now I see it happening again - The Independent - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- More Than 3,000 Migrants Returned to Afghanistan Yesterday - 8am.media - May 5th, 2026 [May 5th, 2026]
- Could Russia Mediate the Conflict Between Pakistan and Afghanistan? - The Diplomat Asia-Pacific - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Iran Joins Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and Other Countries in Facing a Decline in Middle East Regional Tourism as UAE, Saudi... - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Restrictions on girls education and womens employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 -... - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]