Nato agrees to troop boost in Afghanistan

NATO will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help train the country’s forces facing a resurgent Taliban, but will not return to a combat role, the alliance said yesterday.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014, when it handed over post-9/11 frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission.

But Nato commanders have asked for more troops – following recent gains by the Taliban – stoking fears that the alliance could get sucked back into the conflict just as it faces a host of new threats, including Russia, terrorism and cyber attacks.

“I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan,” Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said yesterday as he arrived for a defence ministers’ meeting at the 29-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.

An increase of up to 3 000 troops – from 13 500 soldiers at present – was under consideration, diplomatic sources said, though Stoltenberg did not give a precise figure.

He said 15 countries had already pledged more contributions and he hoped for more.

“This is about training, assistance and advice. It’s not to conduct combat operations, but to help the Afghans,” Stoltenberg said.

The extra troops could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul’s air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training.

About half of the Nato soldiers in Afghanistan are from the US.

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would provide about 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. – AFP