Hawkish US Senator John McCain has prompted President Donald Trump to boost US presence in Afghanistan, justifying his call by saying that America "is still at war" with terrorism.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US President Donald Trump should urgently dedicate resources to address the security situation in Afghanistan, Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on Thursday.
"America is still at war in Afghanistan against the terrorist enemies that attacked our nation on September 11th," McCain stated.. "Securing Afghanistan and preventing another attack on our homeland requires the right number of people in the right places with the right authorities and the right capabilities."
At least 22 people were killed and 120 injured in three simultaneous Taliban assaults on security compounds in the Afghan capital on Wednesday. It was the insurgent group’s latest attack against Afghan security forces.
McCain noted that US Army figures indicate the Afghan government controls only 57 percent of the country, compared to 72 percent a year ago.
"President Trump has the opportunity to turn the page and finally give our commanders the resources and authorities they need to seize the initiative and take the fight to our enemies," McCain added.
Afghanistan had been facing instability for many years with the government troops fighting against the Islamist terror organization Taliban seeking to establish a strict Sharia law in the country. The turmoil resulted in the rise of other terrorist groups such as the Islamic State, outlawed in Russia.
The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, as well as the Afghanistan-based US forces are currently conducting joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.