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Over 3,000 extra US troops deployed to Afghanistan: Pentagon chief

US President Donald Trump greets Secretary of Defense James Mattis (R) at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on March 2, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The Pentagon has confirmed that the US is sending over 3,000 additional soldiers to war-ravaged Afghanistan, citing the so-called war on terrorism.

Defense Secretary James Mattis made the announcement during an impromptu news conference with reporters at the Pentagon on Monday.

The decision followed US President Donald Trump’s South Asia strategy, announced in August, when Mattis said he had signed orders to send additional troops without specifying the size of the force.

(From L to R) US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford walk to a wreath laying during a memorial service at the Pentagon for the 9/11 terrorist attacks  September 11, 2017 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by AFP)

The retired United States Marine Corps general has so far managed to keep the exact number in the dark but earlier reports suggested that it would be closer to 3,500.

Most of the forces, half of which come from the 82nd Airborne, were already en route to Afghanistan.

The former general further commented on recent military accidents that have resulted in the deaths or injuries of over 50 troops since June, asserting that "after we find the specifics (as to what caused each accident)," we will see "what are the circumstances surrounding those issues." 

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In this photograph taken on August 28, 2017, a US Marine empties his weapon after returning from a mission at the Shorab military Camp in Lashkar Gah in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

The United States sent forces to Afghanistan about 16 years ago to defeat the Taliban terrorists but the militant group is still fully operative.

Washington claims that the massive military presence in Afghanistan is only aimed at maintaining security across the country until Afghan military forces are ready to take over the responsibility.


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