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Afghanistan at "critical point" in fight against insurgency - Pentagon

WASHINGTON, June 20 (KUNA) -- Afghanistan is at a "critical point" in the fight against the insurgency as the plan to modify the Afghan force structure and develop a more agile and lethal force is under way, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces must weather the storm from the insurgency and deny the Taliban strategic victories on the battlefield, fight the self-proclaimed Islamic State's regional affiliate, IS-Khorasan, and grow and train the defense forces, the Pentagon said in a report, entitled "Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan," presented to the US Congress.
"With renewed interest in planning for the future, Afghanistan has demonstrated its resolve to face these challenges, furthering its commitment to be a viable security partner to the United States," the report said.
The report covers events in Afghanistan from December through May 31. Afghan forces "continue to make progress in their efforts to counter terrorist networks and provide the United States with a valuable counter-terrorism partner," it said.
Despite IS-Khorasan conducting high-profile attacks in Kabul, the organization's influence has diminished, it said.
Both Afghan and US forces "have committed to defeating the organization, and continued operations and airstrikes against IS-Khorasan have largely confined the group to a few districts in Nangarhar province," the report said.
Major initiatives within the road map for Afghanistan's future include transitioning the Afghan Air Force from Russian Mi-17 helicopters to US UH-60 helicopters over the next several years, expanding the Afghan Special Forces and gaining efficiencies through realigning paramilitary organizations from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Defense, the report said. (end) rm.ma