LOC23:33
20:33 GMT
WASHINGTON, March 12 (KUNA) -- The US military transition in Afghanistan is
"on track," and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are growing in
capabilities as well as in their will to pursue the mission, Pentagon
spokesman George Little said on Tuesday.
While dozens of Afghan fighters are casualties as a result, Little said,
"We believe that the Taliban have not been able to occupy territory that they
once held."
"Now there are challenges too," Little said during a Defense Department
briefing. "We have to make sure that the ANSF over time is able to maintain
course and sustain the gains that have been made. That is the endgame here. It
is about not just the political will to ensure success, but the ability of the
ANSF to provide for security throughout the country."
After visiting Afghanistan over the past few days and receiving briefings
from US commanders in the field, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and other US
military officials "believe that that will is there on the part of the Afghans
to continue to grow their capabilities," Little said.
"I am not saying that it is a nicely paved road to the future," he said.
"There are going to be potholes and bumps in the road and rocks and gravel,
and we have got to be honest about that. But at the end of the day, we think
that there is a very strong chance that the Afghan people will be able to
secure for themselves a better future." (end)
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