Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. will withdraw about 2,500 soldiers from its 19,000-strong contingent in Afghanistan next year because Afghan security forces are increasing and NATO is expanding its role in the south, the U.S. Defense Department said.
"Security is expanding, not retreating," Air Force Lieutenant General Gene Renuart, director for strategic plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in Washington yesterday, according to the American Forces Press Service. "We're winning this" war in Afghanistan.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization said earlier this month it will send an additional 6,000 soldiers into southern Afghan provinces in 2006. NATO has 9,000 soldiers serving in the country. The Afghan National Army now has about 27,000 soldiers and the police force about 55,000 officers deployed or being trained, Renuart said. |