KABUL - The Department of Defense said Thursday that Afghanistan still dangerous and challenges remain there, reaffirming the US support to the Afghan government and security forces.
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters that U.S. military presence in Afghanistan continues to provide support to the Afghan government and its armed forces “so that they can secure the country for themselves.”
He said Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, commander of the Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and his team “work very closely with the government, with the armed forces of Afghanistan.”
The separate counterterrorism mission in Afghanistan is also ongoing, Cook said, and is “critically important to the United States in keeping the homeland safe.”
“We feel good about the situation right now in Afghanistan with regard to the support we’re providing along with other members of the NATO coalition,” he said. “In terms of bolstering the Afghan security forces, improving their fighting capabilities on their own, so that ultimately they can secure the country on their own. We see progress there.”
Afghanistan is still dangerous and challenges there remain, Cook said.
“We will continue to provide the kind of support we can to bolster the Afghan security forces,” he said. “That is an important mission.” (KP)