U.S. will not reduce military contingent to 5.5 thousand militaries

Almaty. July 7. Silkroadnews – The U.S. military contingent in Afghanistan will not be reduced to 5.5 thousand militaries, as it was planned earlier, the U.S. president Barack Obama said.

“Instead of reducing the number of troops in Afghanistan to 5.5 thousand militaries until the end of this year, the U.S. will keep at strength around 8.4 thousand troops next year, till the end of my administration,” RBC quoted Obama saying.

The president noted this decision has been made based on the recommendations by Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford. Besides, Obama said, this issue has been discussed within the U.S. Congress, Afghan government and with U.S. partners.

Obama explained the situation in Afghanistan remains unstable and said the role of the U.S. troops in the country shall remain the same – they will proceed training the Afghan army and police forces, as well as provide support for operations against “Taliban” and other groups militants.