Gen. Nicholson: 10 Percent Of Afghanistan Under Taliban Control

The top commander of the Resolute Support (RS) mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan says about 10 percent of the country’s population is controlled by the Taliban and at least another 20 percent is being contested by the insurgents and the government forces.

Gen. John Nicholson who was responding to a question about the percentage of treasuries under control of Taliban in Afghanistan on Friday said,” What we see is ten percent of the population is under their [Taliban’s] control. But they contest another 20 percent”.

He added that Afghan security forces have been unable to expand its grip on Afghanistan but still roughly holds 65 – 70 percent of the country.

Nicholson also touched the threat of Daesh in Afghanistan said Islamic State leaders in Syria provide money, command-and-control guidance and communication support to their militants in Afghanistan. But he says U.S. and Afghan military operations have targeted the group, killing many leaders and members, so they are in fewer Afghan districts now than they were months ago.

Furthermore; Nicholson says he’s concerned about Afghan troop casualties, saying many are at small checkpoints where forces are not well-equipped or well-trained.

By: Hesamuddin Hesam