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Afghan Commanders Expect More Support Under New US Strategy

Afghan commanders and local government officials in insecure provinces expect a shift in the war on terror and further support for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) under the new US strategy on Afghanistan.

The military and civilian officials called on the United States to mobilize the Afghan security forces and meanwhile support the Air Force in the framework of the new policy.

“Under its new strategy, the United States should provide heavy weapons to the ANDSF and it should support the Afghan Air Force,” said Major Gen. Amanullah Mobin, Commander of 209 Shaheen Military Corps in Balkh.

“Based on the new strategy, the US should support the Afghan security forces including the Air Force. And in return, the Air Force should support the ground operations,” said Faisal Begzad, governor Badakhshan province, where militants are operating in the outskirts of the provincial capital Faizabad City.

US has 8,400 troops in Afghanistan who are engaged in training, advising and assisting Afghan forces. Under the new strategy, the US is expected to send in 3,900 extra troops to Afghanistan.

The Afghan officials said they hope that by the possible increase of foreign forces, they will witness changes in the war on terror in Afghanistan and in the region.

“Foreign troops have no combat role in the fight against terrorists in Helmand (province), but they are providing advice and air support to us. This support is needed until our security forces become self-reliant,” Helmand governor Hayatullah Hayat said.

A report by Independent Human Rights Commission in Afghanistan on Thursday said a record 938 civilians were either killed or injured in southern Helmand province during the first four months of this year.

Women and children were the main victims, the AIHRC said.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister of defense Gen. Shaour Gul said the presence of foreign forces is important alongside the Afghan soldiers in the counterterrorism campaign.   

“The support of foreign troops is very important for government and for us,” he said. “We need their support in our operations.” 

Afghan Commanders Expect More Support Under New US Strategy

Some provincial governors and military commanders said under the new US strategy on Afghanistan, they expect changes in the war against insurgents.

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Afghan commanders and local government officials in insecure provinces expect a shift in the war on terror and further support for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) under the new US strategy on Afghanistan.

The military and civilian officials called on the United States to mobilize the Afghan security forces and meanwhile support the Air Force in the framework of the new policy.

“Under its new strategy, the United States should provide heavy weapons to the ANDSF and it should support the Afghan Air Force,” said Major Gen. Amanullah Mobin, Commander of 209 Shaheen Military Corps in Balkh.

“Based on the new strategy, the US should support the Afghan security forces including the Air Force. And in return, the Air Force should support the ground operations,” said Faisal Begzad, governor Badakhshan province, where militants are operating in the outskirts of the provincial capital Faizabad City.

US has 8,400 troops in Afghanistan who are engaged in training, advising and assisting Afghan forces. Under the new strategy, the US is expected to send in 3,900 extra troops to Afghanistan.

The Afghan officials said they hope that by the possible increase of foreign forces, they will witness changes in the war on terror in Afghanistan and in the region.

“Foreign troops have no combat role in the fight against terrorists in Helmand (province), but they are providing advice and air support to us. This support is needed until our security forces become self-reliant,” Helmand governor Hayatullah Hayat said.

A report by Independent Human Rights Commission in Afghanistan on Thursday said a record 938 civilians were either killed or injured in southern Helmand province during the first four months of this year.

Women and children were the main victims, the AIHRC said.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister of defense Gen. Shaour Gul said the presence of foreign forces is important alongside the Afghan soldiers in the counterterrorism campaign.   

“The support of foreign troops is very important for government and for us,” he said. “We need their support in our operations.” 

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