KABUL - The U.S. and NATO General Commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Campbell, assured the public on Saturday that insurgents did not have the capability to overthrow Afghanistan's National Unity Government (NUG).

The coalition forces, especially the Americans, would never abandon Afghanistan in the battle against insurgents, Campbell - who is the commander of Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan - said during a change of command ceremony at Bagram Airfield, north of Kabul.

At the event, Maj. Gen. James Rainey assumed command of 3rd Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Mike Murray, who held the command for two years and eight months.

"The enemy cannot and will not overthrow the legitimate National Unity Government," Gen. Campbell said. "Taliban are losing."

He called the success of Afghan forces a great achievement for American troops.

"Newly independent Afghan security forces are taking the fight [against] the enemy and the insurgents are testing them," Gen. Campbell said. "Both the sides seek to gain advantage over the other before they consider reconciliation."

The RSM commander stated the Taliban, by continuing fight against Afghan forces, would further lose the people's support.

The insurgents had lost the little proper support they ever enjoyed and it was the real time for them to start working with fellow Afghans, lay down their arms and heed President Ashraf Ghani's call to come to the peace talks table, said Campbell.

The four-star American General hoped the current Resolute Support Mission - which is limited to only support, advice and training of Afghan forces – would result in further progress of the people and government of Afghanistan.

Currently, about 13,000 American and NATO forces are stationed in Afghanistan to lead the mission – which began at January 2015. (Tolonews)