The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Mark Milley says that the American troops would remain in Afghanistan for several more years.

In an interview with ABC, Milley said that after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the key reason that the American troops went into Afghanistan was to make sure that the country never again would be a haven for extremists who would attack the United States.

“That mission is not yet complete. In order for that mission to be successful the government of Afghanistan, the Afghan security forces, are going to have to be able to sustain their own internal security to prevent terrorists using their territory to attack other countries, especially the United States,” he added.

Currently, the United States has 12,000 troops in Afghanistan, serving along with foreign troops in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

The Taliban in a statement has “strongly condemned” Milley’s remarks.

“The United States will achieve nothing through continuing occupation of Afghanistan as it failed to do so in the past 18 years. The Americans know that the US invasion of Afghanistan was absurd. Even high-profile US officials describe the Afghan war a big mistake. The remarks by the US general about their presence in Afghanistan is an indication of the USA’s inconsistent position and failure. Afghans will not tolerate the presence of any country in their soil, but will launch Jihad against them. We will continue pounding the enemy until end of their occupation,” the statement said.

Arezo News Website – Humayun Salimi