The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) are turning Afghanistan into a graveyard of terrorism, the Afghan Army Chief of Staff Gen Qadam Shah Shaheem said while speaking during a ceremony to mark the 97th Independence Day of Afghanistan in Kabul. Admitting that the country is facing a major threat from terrorism, Gen Shaheem said that ANDSF were resolute in their fight against the terrorism and will turn the country into the graveyard of terrorism. These remarks by the General come as the security situation of the country has sharply been deteriorating during the recent months with the rampant Taliban-led insurgency. Afghanistan is also facing threats posed by the international terrorism, including the loyalists of ISIS as they attempt to gain and expand foothold in the country.[i]
The statement by the Afghan Chief of Staff is encouraging and reflects the determination of the Afghan Army in its fight against terrorism. However, sustained operations demand enhanced indulgence of international community especially the regional stakeholders like India to further bolster the capacity and capability of Afghan Army.
President Obama’s decision to leave 8,400 American troops in Afghanistan until the end of his term, further slowing the drawdown in a 14-year war, is a step in the right direction. However, the drawdown figures have still been significant comparing to the deployment of nearly 40,000 troops when he took office.
The security situation in Afghanistan still remains precarious. Mr Obama has categorically stated that though the Afghan security forces have improved, they are still not as strong as they need to be. US has close to 10,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, where they train and equip the Afghan forces and carry out counter-terrorism operations. [ii]
The building up of military capacity and capability, given the enormous challenges being faced by the Afghan people will take time and needs partnership of the world especially the countries in the immediate and extended neighbourhood. The Afghan Forces commanders need advice on field and keeping into view the enormity of the challenge, US and NATO forces are obviously required to maintain an optimum troop level. The earlier drawdown figures of 5500 troops would have fallen short of the requirement adversely impacting upon the prevalent fragile security situation in Afghanistan. Though the present decision by Mr Obama reflects long term commitment of US and NATO in the region, it needs to be considered whether the present strategy needs a relook as it cannot and should not be an endless war.[iii]
Endnotes
[i] Khampa Press Aug 18,2016
[ii] The New York Times by Mark Landler Jul 6, 2016
[iii] The New York Times by Mark Landler Jul 6, 2016