Nato forces stationed across Afghanistan are celebrating Christmas away from home at their military bases, singing carols and sharing Christmas meals.
Hundreds of Nato troops stationed at a base in Kabul celebrated Christmas early Monday, singing festive songs and lighting candles during a church service.
"I wish I could, you know, be with family and friends. It is a time of the year where everybody gets together and enjoys being together, pretty much," a Nato soldier, Michael Mccain, said.
The soldiers attended a special church service where they sang carols and lit candles before sharing a Christmas meal at the Isaf compound located at the Kabul International Airport.
Despite spending Christmas celebrations away from home, there were still many things to be thankful for, said another Nato soldier, Trent Sutlon.
Soldiers wearing festive Santa hats were guarding the compound as others shared a special Christmas meal in a canteen decorated with Christmas lights and decorations.
Hundreds of German soldiers celebrated Christmas in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
"Christmas is of course a very special time. You are far away from your family, the thoughts are going back towards home, but on the other hand, it is also nice to be here in the company of fellow soldiers and to actually celebrate Christmas. And so, for me, this is a very special time here," said a German soldier.
Some soldiers played the trumpet while others sang festive carols and lit candles at the Marmal camp, the biggest German camp in Afghanistan.
Germany is the third largest troop contributor to Afghanistan's Nato-led forces, after Britain and the United States, with around 4,500 soldiers serving in the country
There are around 66,000 US troops and 37,000 troops of other nations fighting insurgents in Afghanistan . .