Lashkargh, Kunduz cities won’t fall: Charlie

The International Forces commanding center in Afghanistan has stated that Lashkargah and Kunduz cities won’t fall in the enemy’s hands.

Deputy Communication Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan Charlie Cleveland said,” Our general advice to Afghan security forces is to hold offensive position against Taliban, we also know that the Taliban is absolutely focused on trying to take a large population centers, specifically down in Helmand, and they will continue to do that, so as we look to the map of the couple of the months what we believe is clearly still got a lot of fighting season to go unfortunately, we absolutely see the Taliban trying to conduct operations and attacks again in Helmand, they will do their best to threaten Lashkargh, and we will see the continued pressures up in to the North in the vicinity of Kunduz city, but ultimately we do still feel ANDSF is on the right truck they are prepared and will able to defend both Lashkargh and in Kunduz city.”

He also went on and said,” Over all its incredibly important for the Afghan National Security Forces is to stay on the offense, that they have got be able to continue to move offensively against Taliban and that’s where we believe that we have seen in them have the most success, our concern is when they get spread out in multiple check points they become vulnerable Taliban is able to pick and choose at the time that they want to, to be able to engage those areas ANDSF forces.”

Mr. Cleveland said,” ANDSF forces does have challenges every military does, we have heard discussion and concern of the leadership, again making sure that you got the right leaders at the right location, They can really influence, what is going on clearly challenges of corruption, that is something ultimately if not adequately addressed ultimately undermines entire devour, in case of lack of food and ammunition the leaders of the company or unit have got to be committed to taking care of soldiers, they have got make sure that they have food, ammunition, clothing and they have support when they require support.”

In case of ceasefire between the Taliban and IS institutionally we believe that Taliban and IS are absolutely going after each other, we have not seen that suggests there is ceasefire among the two or the two organizations are joining together.

Reported by Fahim Noori