(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The presidents decisions allow the military to conduct air support for Afghan operations when needed.
President Barack Obama has quietly approved guidelines in recent weeks to allow the Pentagon to target Taleban fighters in Afghanistan broadening previous plans that had limited the military to counterterrorism missions against Al Qaeda after this year US officials said.
The president’s decisions also allow the military to conduct air support for Afghan operations when needed the officials said late Friday. Obama issued the guidelines in recent weeks as the American combat mission in Afghanistan draws to a close thousands of troops return home and the military prepares for narrower counterterrorism and training mission for the next two years.
Obama’s moves expand on what had been previously planned for next year. One US official said the military could only go after the Taleban if it posed a threat to American forces or provided direct support to Al Qaeda while the latter could be targeted more indiscriminately.
“To the extent that Taleban members directly threaten the United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan or provide direct support to Al Qaeda however we will take appropriate measures to keep Americans safe” the official said.
The Taleban’s presence in Afghanistan far exceeds that of Al Qaeda adding significance to Obama’s authorisation. The president’s decision came in response to requests from military commanders who wanted troops to be allowed to continue to battle the Taleban the US officials said.
The New York Times first reported the new guidelines. Officials confirmed details to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss Obama’s decisions by name.
The decision to expand the military’s authority does not impact the overall number of US troops that will remain in Afghanistan. Earlier this year. Obama ordered the American force presence to be cut to 9800 by the end of this year a figure expected to be cut in half by the end of 2015.
The president wants all US troops to be out of Afghanistan a year later as his presidency draws to a close.
Some of the Obama administration’s planning for the post-2014 mission was slowed by a political stalemate in Afghanistan earlier this year. It took months for the winner of the country’s presidential election to be certified delaying the signing of a bilateral security agreement that was necessary in order to keep United States forces in the country after December.
In Kabul officials with the Afghan Defence Ministry declined to comment Saturday while officials with the presidency could not be reached. However Afghan military analyst Jawed Kohistani said the move likely would be welcomed as President Ashraf Ghani’s new administration upon taking office immediately signed a deal with the US to allow a residual force of 12000 foreign troops in the country.
“We have heard from many military officers who are involved in direct fighting with the Taleban and other insurgents that still there is a need for more cooperation there is need for an ongoing US combat mission and there is need for US air support for the Afghan security forces to help them in their fight against the insurgents” Kohistani said.
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