Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- British forces in southern Afghanistan have handed responsibility for security in Sangin district to American troops, the British and American militaries said Monday.
British forces have been in Sangin since 2006.
The transfer of authority was first announced by the British defense secretary in July.
It follows heavy British losses in the area, a Taliban stronghold.
British Defence Secretary Liam Fox acknowledged that "the level of sacrifice has been high" in praising the British mission in "one of the most challenging areas of Afghanistan".
NATO's International Security Assistance Force said the handover was possible because of the increase in the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
British Royal Marines handed control of Sangin to the U.S. Marines, both sides said.
The switch of command in Sangin is not a defeat for British troops, but simply works well militarily, said Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute, an independent defense and security think tank in London.
CNN
