(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Britain believe their government should cease its participation in both the war on terrorism and the coalition effort, according to a poll by YouGov released by the Daily Telegraph. 59 per cent of respondents would withdraw all troops from Iraq almost immediately.

In addition, 53 per cent of respondents would remove all the soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.

Britain committed troops to both the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and the U.S.-led coalition effort in Iraq. At least 540 soldiers—including 52 Britons—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The conflict against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,530 soldiers have died during the military operation in Iraq, including 140 Britons.

Yesterday, Blair commented on the deaths of four British soldiers in Basra, saying, "Now it is far too early to say that the particular terrorist act that killed our forces was an act committed by terrorists who are backed by any elements of the Iranian regime so I make no allegation in respect of that particular incident but the general picture (...) is that there are elements of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing and supporting terrorism in Iraq."

Polling Data

In your view, should British forces continue to be deployed in Iraq for at least the next year or two, or should they be brought home more or less immediately?

Should British forces continue to be deployed in Afghanistan for a least the next year or two, or should they be brought home more or less immediately?

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