Theresa Whelan, acting assistant defense secretary for Special Operations of the United States (U.S) said in response to questions by the U.S Senate Committee on Armed Services that the Pentagon's proposal to send more troops to Afghanistan will be sent to President Donald Trump within the next week.
"We are actually actively looking at adjustments to the approach in Afghanistan right now. I expect that these proposals will go to the president within the next week," she said.
Whelan said Afghanistan's war strategy is under review and its aim is to break the deadlock.
"The intent is to do just that to move beyond the stalemate and also to recognize that Afghanistan is a very important partner for the United States in a very tricky region and we want to maintain our partnership with Afghanistan," Whelan added.
U.S army officials said the review of possible changes of the United States' military mission in Afghanistan will be finished in the near future.
Senator John McCain, Chairman of the U.S Senate Committee on Armed Services asked General Raymond Thomas, commander of the U.S Special Operations Command about the deadlock.
In response Thomas said he thinks the "critical factor is commitment."
"Does that mean in your view additional troops?" asked McCain.
"We are in the middle of discussions on what is needed for going forward. Again I am supporting the commander there and supporting our secretary of defense," Thomas answered.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) meanwhile said they need more foreign troops to help the Afghan army in terms of providing training and advisory services.
"In the current situation, our security and defense forces need more equipment and modern technology," Mohammad Radmanesh, deputy spokesman of MoD said.
U.S officials say that it is possible that 3,000 to 5,000 additional American soldiers could be added to the 13,000 foreign soldiers already in Afghanistan.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/6523
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