ANDSF in Helmand Pledge to Defend Country as Duty, Not for Reward

Members of the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) in the southern province of Helmand have said that they are prepared to defend the Afghan people and their country without any reward once foreign forces leave the county.

These forces who have been battling the Taliban for years said that the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country will not demoralize them.

“This is my country. If I do not fight for this country, no one will fight, we have to defend our homeland,” said Zamir Ahmad, an Afghan commando in Helmand.

Zamir Ahmad who is a native of Kunduz province has not seen his family for the past seven months.

“I am prepared to serve my country for months without any salary or any other reward,” said Assadullah, an Afghan commando.

Abdul Karim, another member of the Afghan National Army (ANA), has experience fighting the Taliban in 15 provinces.

He has not seen his family for several months because he has been fighting on the front lines.

“If they want to leave Afghanistan, we are ready to provide security to our borders and cities through our available resources,” said Abdul Karim Mohammadi, an ANA officer in Helmand.

Another officer, Mohammad Yousuf, said: “Whether the foreigners stay here in Afghanistan or not, we have our own commandoes, special operation forces to defend Afghanistan.”

Helmand is one of the Taliban’s key strongholds in the southern. The security situation in Helmand has been relatively good in recent days compared to other areas.