NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says Afghan security forces are fighting competently against the Taliban and other Islamic militants.
Stoltenberg told RFE/RL in an interview in Brussels on November 30 that Afghan military forces have "proven to be very capable and very competent" in battling Islamist fighters and that NATO will continue to "train, assist, and advise" the troops.
He said he expects NATO foreign ministers to formally approve later this week a motion to maintain the current level of troops in Afghanistan through 2016.
The NATO chief said he was told by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani about the increased presence of Islamic State group militants in Afghanistan and that it is better that the Afghans are fighting IS by themselves "and that [NATO] supports them."
Stoltenberg said that despite the increased violence by Islamist groups in the northern provinces of Kunduz, Faryab, and Badakshan, the alliance is not considering establishing a new combat operation in Afghanistan.
"No one believed that this was going to be an easy task or that there was going to be peace and stability in Afghanistan [right away]," said Stoltenberg.
NATO Chief Assures Alliance Committed To Afghanistan
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
After Key Report On Afghanistan, State Department Says Taliban Was Keeping Aid
2Four Years On, UN Says Taliban Close To 'Erasing' Afghan Women From Public Life
3Kabul's Quiet Resistance: Young Afghans Navigate Life Under The Taliban
4Bad Move: Taliban's Chess Ban Adds To Crackdown On Sports And Pastimes
5World Food Program Warns Of 'Unprecedented' Hunger Crisis In Afghanistan
6Russia Boosts The Taliban's Quest For Legitimacy. Who Will Be Next?
7UK Data Leak Spurs Costly Afghan Resettlement And Security Fears
8Taliban Restrictions Blamed For Surge In Suicides Among Afghans
9China Dangles Belt And Road Investment To Mend Taliban-Pakistan Ties
10Death Toll Rises As Heavy Rains Devastate Northwestern Pakistan
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.