U.S. soldiers walking by a damaged vehicle used in a suicide attack in the Batti Kot district of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan on Thursday. (Rahmat Gul/The Associated Press)Afghan Forces Increase Footprint in Afghanistan,
General Says -- U.S. Department Of Defense
General Says -- U.S. Department Of Defense
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2008 – Afghan national security forces are larger, fully engaged and leading the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, the U.S. general in charge of training them said today.
“The [Afghan army is] leading about 60 percent of the operations they participate in, and have proven themselves as an effective fighting force,” Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Afghanistan, said in a news conference with Pentagon reporters via video-conference from Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Afghan National Army is becoming larger and better equipped, with new weapons and vehicles. The force is 68,000 soldiers strong, but is in the process of growing to 134,000, Cone said. About 26,000 soldiers were trained in 2008, and in 2009 the army is expecting an additional 28,000 soldiers, he added.
“This expansion is much more than raw numbers,” the general explained. “The Afghan National Army is undergoing, at the same time, a significant force modernization effort. We are already well into fielding the force with NATO weapons, and also have begun fielding up-armored Humvees.”
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More News On The War In Afghanistan
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Afghan bombing kills 21, including US soldier -- AP
19 killed, dozens wounded in attack on U.S. convoy in Afghan market -- International herald Tribune
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Afghanistan calls for more foreign fighting troops -- Reuters
Obama faces big challenges in Afghanistan -- Reuters
An outbreak of pragmatism under Obama could bring results in Afghanistan -- The Guardian
His tone may be different but Barack Obama's options are few -- Times Online
Pentagon: Afghan Army Growing at Record Pace -- Voice of America
Experts Say Afghanistan Needs Regional Solution -- Voice Of America
Acid attack shows 'Afghanistan is lawless' -- ABC News (Australia)
About 1,500 schoolgirls stay home after acid attack -- CTV News