The U.S. Marines will deploy 300 troops to Afghanistan’s embattled southern Helmand province as part of NATO’s advise-assist mission, the Marine Corps announced on Saturday.
“Task Force Southwest, led by Brig.-Gen. Roger Turner Jr will train and advise key leaders within the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and the 505th Zone National Police,’’ a statement published by the corps said.
Helmand is one of the most embattled provinces in southern Afghanistan, where almost all districts, save for the provincial capital, are either heavily embattled or fully controlled by Taliban militants.
The troops are to assist Afghan security forces in beating back a resilient Taliban insurgency that has taken most of the province by storm after the end of NATO’s combat mission.
“The Marine Corps has an operational history in Afghanistan, particularly in Helmand province,’’ the statement noted, adding that the Marines will assist in preserving gains made together with the Afghans.
The U.S. maintains nearly 10,000 troops in Afghanistan under the NATO’s Resolute Support mission.
The future of the mission is unknown given the upcoming change in the U.S. administration. (dpa/NAN)