KABUL: The top US forces commander General John Nicholson has said theTaliban militants are not safe anywhere in the volatile country.
Nicholson attend a ceremony of US Marine Forces in Helmand where he saidthey will continue their support to the Afghan forces until the end oftheir mission in Afghanistan.
“The enemy is not safe anywhere in Helmand. We will come after themeverywhere in Helmand to help the people of Helmand expand their securityand try to return their lives normal. We are here until the job is done andso the new South Asia strategy is condition-based, not time-based”.
In response to a question about political rift between Presidential Palaceand the ousted Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, Nicholson said they arehere in Afghanistan to support all Afghans.
“We are here to support all Afghans regardless of ethnic group, religion,political affiliation and government, out of government. We and theinternational community are here to support all Afghans. And what we desirefor Afghanistan is that they decide their own future and they will decidetheir own political process,” Nicholson said.
During the ceremony, responsibility of US Marine Forces was transferredfrom Marine Brig. Gen Roger Turner who leads the forces for nine months inShorab Military Base to General Watson.
Turner said Taliban does not have the ability to occupy Helmand’s strategicareas and that the group has lost many important locations in the province.
“Taliban has lost any capability to do anything on the level of taking anysort of any important areas,” said Turner.
The new commander of US Marine forces said they will continue to supportand train the Afghan Security Force members to carry out an effective waragainst militants.