AT News
KABUL: The U.S. and NATO Forces Top Commander, Gen. Scott Miller and Chief of the Afghan Army Staff, Gen. Yasin Zia had visited the southern province of Kandahar to evaluate the security situation of the province.
The US forces spokesman, Col. Sonny Leggett said in a tweet that the authorities met the provincial governor and security in charge. “Gen Miller reaffirmed Resolute Support’s “commitment remains sound and strong,” he said.
Kandahar has recently been hit with an upswing in violence as the Taliban staged attacks on the security forces to hold more leverage on the negotiation table of the intra-Afghan talks held between the government and Taliban peace delegation in the Qatari capital of Doha.
Both sides resumed the second round of the negotiation last week after they took a three-week break to consult the agendas of the negotiation with their leaderships.
Meanwhile, sources privy to the issue said that there is no progress in the negotiation between the two sides as the Afghan delegation stressed on a ceasefire agreement but the Taliban insisted on discussing the formation of the future government.
In the meantime, the Pentagon is set to reduce the number of its troops in Afghanistan to less than 2,500 agreed in a peace deal signed between the insurgents group and Washington on February 29th of 2020.
Prior to that Gen. Scott Miller joined 1st Deputy Ministry of Defense Shah Mahmood Miakhel for the Shahin 209 Corps Change of Command in Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh Province.
During the change of command between outgoing CDR Gen. Haibatullah Alizai and incoming CDR Gen. Mustafa Wardak, Deputy Ministry, Miakhel praised Gen. Alizai’s commitment to improving security in the north and welcomed Gen. Wardak as he works to further secure peace in Northern provinces.
Gen Miller highlighted the strong partnership between Resolute Support and the 209th Corps, and expressed his appreciation for the leadership of German Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer and the unwavering commitment of German Allies in the North.