KABUL – Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense on Wednesday announced thecreation of a new army corps aimed at improving the fragile securitysituation in the country’s northeastern regions.
Known as the 217 Pamir Army Corps, the new military establishment will helpto secure some key highways in the northeastern parts of the country,military officials said.
“This brigade promoted to the rank of corps in the view of the situationsand the circumstances we have in Afghanistan and in the view of thecomplicated geography we have. People were also facing with major problemsand threats on the highways. People were demanding the creation of this,”said Deputy Minister of Defense Hilaluddin Hilal.
Military experts are skeptical about the ability of the corps to helpsecurity in the northeastern parts of the country.
“All organizational issues considered for this should be approved becauseKunduz is one of the insecure provinces,” said Mohammad Yusuf Ayubi, headof Kunduz Provincial Council.
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“They should provide equipment for the corps, soldiers should be providedwith sufficient equipment to ensure security in Kunduz,” said Azizullah, aKunduz resident.
This new development takes place amid recent deadly battles between theAfghan security forces and the Taliban insurgents which gripped severalregions in northeast of the country including Kunduz, Takhar, Baghlan,Badakhshan, particulary Badghis province where the security forces arebattling Taliban outfits for the past two weeks.
