Monday January 9, 2017
Kabul (BNA) U.S. army says that 300 US soldiers are expected to be dispatched in southern Helmand province to support the Afghan security forces.
US marines in a press release said that the move was demanded by the US Central Commandment for supporting and advising of the Afghan security forces in the province. Dispatching of the US marines in Helmand has been preplanned so to further protect the foreign advisors working there. Calling presence of US forces alongside the Afghan security forces effective, ministries of defense and interior said that Afghanistan’s war was war on terror. Welcoming the step takes place by U.S. Brig. Gen. Dawlat Waziri, the spokesperson for the ministry of defense told that the soldiers will be stationed in Helmand under Resolute Support mission, aims at advising and training of the Afghan security forces. Likewise, if any countries want to get rid of terrorism, they should cooperate with Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANSDF), Waziri added. Currently, the Afghan security forces are bravely fighting insurgents, but I assure the Afghan people that no district is under serious threat, he went on to say. War pressure is Helmand, but the Afghan security forces are ready to defend the country from the insurgents’ attacks, he continued. Officials of the ministry of interior said that presence of the US marines alongside the ANSF would be effective in fighting terrorism.
At the same time, a number of lawmakers and experts told that continuation of insecurity in the country is concerning, stressing that Afghanistan is still affected by terrorism, therefore, presence of the Resolute Support mission is a must in the country. An MP, Hashimi said that Afghanistan was among the countries that have always been victimized by terrorism. Therefore, presence of NATO forces particularly the US in Afghanistan must be continued, because the Afghan security forces are still facing lack of military equipment and need the international community support for long, he added. Meanwhile, a number of citizens believe that if the domestic policy before ensuring security in the country is changed, there is no doubt that the Afghan security forces in cooperation with their foreign counterparts can restore security throughout the country. However, fourteen years had passed since presence of the international forces in Afghanistan, but the country is still bulking with threats and insecurities. Thus, it is hoped that dispatching of fresh-breath US marines in Helmand could be effective in fighting terrorism in the country.
Suraya Raiszada
