U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has reassured Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that the U.S. government will support Afghanistan on challenges related to safety and other regional problems, DoD News reported Thursday.
Mattis spoke at a news conference in Kabul to help reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to help Afghanistan mitigate potential terrorist threats with the help of other NATO partners.
“We will not abandon Afghanistan to a merciless enemy trying to kill its way to power …Â With our new conditions-based South Asian strategy, we will be better postured to support you as you turn the tide against the terrorists,” said Mattis.
The U.S. secretary of defense discussed President Donald Trump’s strategy which will position U.S. advisers in Afghanistan at various levels to help boost aspects including diplomacy, economic posture, intelligence and military power.
He also stressed that the South Asian strategy will be conditions-based and not time-based.