KABUL – (Pajhwok): Any US troop withdrawal will not impact combatoperations against the Taliban link andother terror groups in Afghanistan link,says the national security advisor (NSA).
The Afghan government had stepped up preparations for thehighly-anticipated scenario of disengagement by the Trump administration,according to Hamdullah Mohib.
Currently on a three-day trip to India, the NSA told a select group ofjournalists in New Delhi on Sturdy: “There are several US mechanisms formilitary engagement…”
He was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times as saying there had neverbeen any discussion with the United States on a cut in counter-terrorismoperations.
“What we have been told is that this is a planning process for differentscenarios. For the time being, it is not a decision yet,” said the advisor,a former Afghan ambassador to the US.
“The numbers that are being spoken of are numbers that were increased in2017,” to more than 14,000 from 8,600. “So it’s not going to have asignificant impact if they are going to be taken back.”