NATO advisers reportedly want Afghan soldiers to spend less time on defensive duties, such as manning checkpoints, and more fighting the Taliban. Now that NATO’s combat mission has finished, the onus is on local Afghan forces to impose stability. With an increase in Taliban activity, NATO advisers hope that a shift in tactics will help counter the upswing in insurgency. The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan began with President George W. Bush’s surge of troops into Iraq after 9/11. In the past week, Afghan military units in the strategically important southern province of Helmand have abandoned their posts in a number of the most disputed areas to fight the militants. Officials have said that actions like this should help the Afghan army consolidate its forces for renewed attacks on insurgent strongholds.
NATO advisers reportedly want Afghan soldiers to spend less time on defensive duties, such as manning checkpoints, and more fighting the Taliban. Now that NATO’s combat mission has finished, the onus is on local Afghan forces to impose stability. With an increase in Taliban activity, NATO advisers hope that a shift in tactics will help counter the upswing in insurgency. Reports suggest that the idea may be taking hold. In the past week, Afghan military units in the strategically important southern province of Helmand have abandoned their posts in a number of the most disputed areas to fight the militants. Officials have said that actions like this should help the Afghan army consolidate its forces for renewed attacks on insurgent strongholds.