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The pledge of American support was delivered by Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, a marine general who is the Pentagon’s commander for Central Command, on Sunday. US Central Command’s operational area is the Middle East and beyond, which includes Afghanistan.
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The Taliban have stepped up attacks in recent weeks, capturing rural districts and the provincial capitals around them, after US President Joe Biden said in April that US troops would withdraw in September ending a 20-year foreign military presence in Afghanistan.
“The United States has stepped up air strikes in support of Afghan forces over the past few days and we are prepared to continue this increased level of support in the coming weeks if the Taliban continue their offensive,” General McKenzie told a news conference in Kabul, as quoted Reuters, Monday (26/7/2021).
McKenzie declined to say whether US troops would resume air strikes after the end of their military mission on August 31.
“The Afghan government faces a tough test in the days ahead… The Taliban are trying to create an inescapable feeling about their campaign,” he said.
But he said a Taliban victory was inevitable and a political solution remained a possibility.
The Afghan government and Taliban negotiators have met in the Qatari capital, Doha, in recent weeks, although diplomats say there has been little sign of a substantive process since peace talks began in September.
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Staggering from battlefield losses, the Afghan military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate troops around the most critical areas such as Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure. This was explained by Afghan and US officials.
McKenzie added that there was likely to be an increase in violence after the Eid holiday break and said the Taliban could focus on capturing populated urban centers.
“They have to deal with the cities if they want to try and reclaim power,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that they will be able to seize this urban area.”
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