MoD launches offensive operation against armed oppositions

Afghanistan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has launched a widespread operation under the name of “Shafaq” against the armed oppositions of the government in various provinces of the country, including the Kunduz province.

The army chief of staff, in the graduation ceremony of 2,000 officers and soldiers said that the ability and equipment of Afghan military have drastically improved compared to previous years and these forces can stand against the armed oppositions in the coming years.

“We had an independent task for defending the country in the previous year and had many achievements, while causalities and losses were also in a high record,” said Qadam Shah Shahim, army chief of staff.

Shahim emphasizes that the coming year will be a victorious year for Afghan people against the enemies of the country.

Despite more than $35 billion (U.S.) in U.S. support since the Taliban was driven from power here in 2001, the regular Afghan army is still broadly criticized as ineffective because of defections, timidity and an inconsistent command-and-control network. But U.S. and Afghan officials believe the army’s commando and Special Forces units can fill the void.