US Expects North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies To Keep More Troops In Afghanistan

In congressional testimony earlier this month, Campbell said he had presented Obama with several options, but it was his own judgment that US troops should remain. “We did a lot of homework on this, and it’s the reason for that number of – that troop level but also the locations that is important”, he said.

Carter said that the Army will play a vital role in the continuing mission in Afghanistan to counter al Qaida and the growing presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Obama said he decided on new troop levels after a request in March by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for continued support and following consultations with his national security team, global partners and members of Congress, and with Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

“The narrative that we’re leaving Afghanistan is self-defeating”.

This afternoon at the Pentagon, Carter said Afghan forces have proven themselves capable and resilient fighters who can provide security for their nation.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said he believes North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies will renew their contributions to the coalition in Afghanistan as Washington did on October 15.

They performed admirably through two tense elections, clearing operations in northern Helmand and countering the Taliban’s spring offensive, the defense secretary said. “But Taliban advances in parts of the country underscore the reality that this is and remains a hard fight”.

“This extends beyond our USA military presence and includes the important financial commitments we will need to make in support of the Afghan security forces”, Carter said.

“In Brussels, there was a significant conversation about Afghanistan”, Cook added.

“It’s not a question of whether, but how to continue the mission in Afghanistan”, Carter said, “and last week it became clear that our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies feel the same way, as many of my counterparts made a point of re-affirming their commitment”. Obama had previously promised to pull all United States forces out of the country by that time.

Backed by USA airstrikes and special operations forces on the ground, the Afghan troops forced the terrorists to withdraw from the city on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. “Recently, we have offered the Americans – give us objects that we shouldn’t target”.