By: Leo Shane III
WASHINGTON -- The head of U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Thursday told lawmakers he needs several thousand more troops to break the “stalemate” in the fight against terrorist groups in that country.
WASHINGTON -- The head of U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Thursday told lawmakers he needs several thousand more troops to break the “stalemate” in the fight against terrorist groups in that country.
Gen. John Nicholson Jr.,commander of United States Forces Afghanistan, said those additional forces could either be U.S. servicemembers or other coalition allies, and would enable more advising and training of Afghan troops “below the corps level.”
The new forces would not be for counter-terrorism efforts and direct missions against terrorist cells, but Nicholson said the training work is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the still struggling Afghanistan military.
“The current security situation in Afghanistan is a stalemate where the equilibrium favors the government,” he said in his statement to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Leadership and countering corruption are two areas in which the (country’s security forces) must improve to reduce casualties and increase military capability.”
Nicholson said the decision to deploy a 300-person task force of U.S. Marines to southwestern Afghanistan this spring will help local security forces regain progress there, but is only one step in helping build up their confidence and capabilities.
The comments came as lawmakers await President Trump’s long-term plan for the 15-year-old war, and as lawmakers continue to spar over former President Barack Obama’s strategy there.
About 8,500 U.S. troops and another 5,000 troops from foreign allies are still stationed in Afghanistan, even though the official combat mission there ended in 2014.
Read the full story at Military Times