Afghanistan allows international troops to fight on
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AFGHANISTAN’S parliament yesterday approved agreements with the US and NATO allowing international troops to remain in the country past the end of this year amid a renewed offensive by Taliban militants.
The international combat mission in Afghanistan, begun after the 2001 US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, was to conclude at the end of this year. The new agreements ratified by parliament allow the US and NATO to keep a total of 12,000 troops in Afghanistan next year to support local forces.
However, the agreements come after US officials said President Barack Obama had approved new guidelines allowing American troops to engage Taliban fighters, not just al-Qaida terrorists in Afghanistan. Obama’s decision also means the US can conduct air support when needed.
In approving the agreements in a 152-5 vote, Afghan lawmakers made no mention of Obama’s expansion of the US role in fighting militants in the country. In a statement, presidential spokesman Nazifullah Salarzai said the foreign troops will “train, advise and assist Afghan security forces.”
“Afghan forces are responsible for the security and defense of the Afghan people, and in the fight against international terrorism and training of our national security forces we count on the support and assistance of our international partners,” Salarzai said.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed agreements with NATO and the US immediately after taking office in September, but they also required lawmakers’ approval. His country, beset by decades of war, has seen Taliban militants increasingly attack civilians and local security forces amid the foreign troop drawdown.
Afghan government forces remain in control of all 34 provincial capitals but are suffering a high rate of casualties against the Taliban this summer.
More than 4,600 Afghan force members have been killed since the start of the year, 6.5 percent more than a year ago.
Despite being funded with more than US$4 billion in aid this year, Afghan police and soldiers frequently complain they lack the resources to fight the Taliban alone.
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