Afghanistan continues to be a country where lives of people are always at a risk, especially for those who are associated with NATO. In the latest attack on the convoy of a NATO mission in Kandahar, two US service members were killed as confirmed by the Pentagon and the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. US troops serve as trainers and advisors to the military and police in Afghanistan.
The attacks continue
CNN reports that the attack on the convoy in Kandahar is seen as a high-profile attack that targeted the coalition in the country. It comes at a time when the Trump administration is trying to evolve a suitable strategy to arrive at its commitments for the region.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis told Congress the administration is drawing up a strategy and, in the absence of a clear cut policy, lives are being lost.
There was a drop in casualties after the Afghan government took over responsibility for combat operations in 2014. However, the attacks and violence have again increased and they include NATO personnel also because US forces have now engaged in a fight against the local ISIS affiliate.
U.S. must define its strategy
There appears to be no letup in violence in Afghanistan and the attack on the NATO convoy is the latest one in southern Kandahar province. However, more than two dozen Afghan soldiers were killed and many more were injured when the Taliban targeted an army camp.
Previous to that, an attack killed at least 11 people including the deputy governor of Kandahar. Among the dead were humanitarian aid workers. More recently, there was a suicide attack during prayer time in a mosque in Herat city leading to more deaths.
The United States will have to work out suitable policies keeping in mind its larger interests.
The US presence in Afghanistan has been there for more than a decade. Former president Barack Obama had wanted to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan and leave behind a skeleton staff who would train the local police and security on the finer points of policing and anti-terrorism activities.
President Donald Trump has had talks with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on several issues.
There are possibilities of increasing the US presence in Afghanistan. The New York Times reports the United States wants to stay on in Afghanistan even after 16 years of war because of its mineral wealth.
These is in abundance in the rocky terrain of territory that is under control of the Taliban. President Ashraf Ghani had, during one of his initial interaction with Donald Trump, promoted mining as an economic opportunity in his country.
