USA: Operations Against ISIS in Afghanistan Will Intensify

On Friday, June 8, U.S. Defense Secretary and commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan stated that during a one-week ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, operations against the Islamic State group, ISIS, will be intensified. According to the Associated Press, James Mattis, speaking on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, remarked that the ceasefire could better position U.S. forces in the fight against extremist groups affiliated with ISIS and remnants of Al-Qaeda. The U.S. Defense Secretary added that if the Taliban takes advantage of the ceasefire for the benefit of the Afghan people, then all resources and capabilities can be focused on ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and remaining foreign fighters in Afghanistan. The day before, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that a ceasefire would be declared for one week during the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in the war against the Taliban. General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, also stated that operations against ISIS forces in southern Nangarhar province have increased since the beginning of this year, and military operations against Islamist fighters in this area will be intensified during the ceasefire. According to the report, General Nicholson provided the latest information on the war situation in Afghanistan at the NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels. However, General Nicholson emphasized that U.S. forces are prepared to respond to any potential attacks by Taliban forces during the Afghan government's unilateral ceasefire. The Associated Press reports that currently, 8,500 U.S. troops are present as support units for government forces in Afghanistan, and several thousand operational U.S. forces are engaged in combat against ISIS and Al-Qaeda. General Nicholson also mentioned that simultaneous with the announcement of the ceasefire, operations against ISIS in eastern Afghanistan have intensified. The U.S., Russia, and NATO Secretary General welcomed the Afghan President's decision for a unilateral ceasefire. Last winter, Ashraf Ghani proposed to the Taliban to transform into a legal group through a political process to negotiate a solution to this sixteen-year war.