Afghanistan army reaches strength of 150,000 members: MoD

Afghanistan’s army has reached a strength of 150,000 members, and the number is expected to increase in future, Latifullah Hakimi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense, said this week.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ariana News, Hakimi said that unlike the former government’s army, current army is defending the national interests of the country.

“An army shouldn’t belong to an individual or group, such that if the individual dies, the army would die, and if he is alive, it would be alive. It is not army. An army should be committed to supreme national interests of the country,” Hakimi said.

The official said that the current army controls all the borders of the country, adding that neighbors should not have security concerns about Afghanistan.

“The army is committed on promises made to all countries on security and prevention of smuggling,” Hakimi said.

The official said that transparency is maintained in the ranks of defense forces, adding that there are no ghost soldiers.