The Afghan Defence Ministry welcomes suggestions from the international forces commander in Afghanistan on the necessity of more troops to fight the growing Taliban-led insurgency.

US Army General John Nicholson, commander of the Resolute Support Mission, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on Thursday that he does did not have enough troops to adequately advise Afghan forces on the ground.
US Army General John Nicholson, commander of the Resolute Support Mission, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on Thursday that he does did not have enough troops to adequately advise Afghan forces on the ground. ()

The Afghan Defence Ministry has welcomed suggestions from the international forces commander in Afghanistan on the necessity of more troops to train Afghan security forces in the fight against the Taliban-led insurgency.

The war in Afghanistan has become the longest conflict in the history of the US, surpassing the Vietnam War. About 8,400 US troops remain in Afghanistan; at its peak in 2011 there were around 100,000 troops.

Afghan Defence Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said more international troops would be a "good step" towards countering militant groups in Afghanistan.

"The Afghan Defence Ministry supports any decision taken between the Afghan and American governments," he said.

"This is a joint battle against terrorism and we support any possible way to tackle terrorism in the country."

On Thursday, General John Nicholson, the commander of US and international troops in Afghanistan, said he does have enough troops to adequately advise Afghan forces on the ground.

NATO allies and other international partners also provide military advisers for the mission.

President Donald Trump, who will make the final decision, has signalled that he would be open to the idea of more troops if the military determines they are needed.

TRT World's Jennifer Glasse has this report.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies