Gen. Miller: US Seeks Peace, Will Defend ANDSF

The commander of US forces in Afghanistan General Scott Miller said the US will support the Afghan security forces as foreign forces leave the country.

Miller said that the Taliban’s expansion of violence makes it difficult to achieve peace.

He said that the Taliban will not be able to win the war militarily, and should stop the violence.

“Coalition or US air forces are there to support and–when required–defend the Afghan security forces under attack,” said Miller.

In a question about the Taliban’s potential offensive on major Afghan cities and Kabul, Miller said that such a move by the Taliban will not be acceptable to the Afghan people or the international community.

“That is something we shouldn’t see the Taliban trying to do, if in fact we’re committed to a political settlement, if we see that type of activity that calls into question all the work that has been done with the intra-Afghan discussions down in Doha and certainly with the international community desires as we go forward,” said Miller.

“Military takeover is not in the interest of anyone, certainly not for the people of Afghanistan. Today we have the ability–in accordance with the US-Taliban agreement–and the authority to provide support that is obviously equipment and other maintenance type support–sustainment support–but also the ability to support the Afghan security forces when attacked,” added Miller.

Miller said that financial support and maintenance support are among the commitments that will continue to the Afghan government forces after the foreign troops withdrawal.