Military makes preparations for 2014 transition

Just a year away from a scheduled pullout of US-led foreign forces from Afghanistan, some Afghan soldiers are saying they can provide the country with adequate security, help the country restore peace and even defeat the Taliban.

"We are ready to sacrifice for the country's security. We are happy to die to make our people safe," soldier Niaz Mohammad told Xinhua News Agency in a recent interview.

The security transition process from the United States and NATO forces was launched in summer 2011. The government forces took full security responsibility from US and NATO forces in areas where more than 90 percent of the country's 30 million population lives.

"The security transition process is succeeding. Security is getting better in areas where army soldiers are stationed. That is because the army has won the hearts and minds of people. Afghans trust their own security forces," Brigadier General Sakhidad Tofan told Xinhua during a cleanup operation conducted by the army in Ghorband Valley in eastern Parwan province on Oct 23.

"Shortly after the army arrived here, the Taliban escaped. They cannot fight our soldiers head-on," he said.

"We know, there are still challenges in the days to come. But Afghanistan now has the ability of a sovereign country to meet those challenges. The Afghan people will see their sons and daughters providing security after the pullout of the foreign troops. The Taliban will see a capable, credible force which will secure all corners of the country."

The government offensive was launched after the Taliban killed several civilians and security personnel in Ghorban, a valley that connects the capital Kabul with central Bamyan province, a tourist destination in the country.

"We call on the Taliban to stop fighting and join the peace and reconciliation process. If they do not come out, we will go to their bunkers and arrest them. I call on them to stop killing innocent civilians and stop roadside bombings and suicide attacks," Tofan said.

On Oct 27, up to 18 civilians, including 14 women and two children, were killed when the Taliban launched a roadside bomb attack in eastern Ghazni province.

The US and NATO troops in Afghanistan are scheduled to switch from a combat to a support role, namely training, advising and assisting Afghan forces, in June 2014.

Mohammad said the Afghan Army is ready to fight the enemy even without the support of the foreign troops. "We have enormous morale and the enemies are afraid of us - they are afraid of our power. I assure our people that there is no cause for alarm for the country's future security," he said.

Xinhua-AP

(China Daily 10/30/2013 page12)