Key battle coming in Afghanistan, senators say - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Key battle coming in Afghanistan, senators say

A looming campaign against Taliban forces in Kandahar and the surrounding area of Afghanistan could become a key stepping stone to the ultimate withdrawal of U.S. combat troops, the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman said Tuesday.

Returning from a three-day visit to the region, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., predicted that an Afghan-led battle to “clear the Taliban from Taliban-land,” expected to start in late July or early August, could step up respect for the Afghan National Army. The success of such an operation “will not be lost on the Taliban,” Levin said.

Levin and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., an armed services committee member who also went on the trip, said the Kandahar operation would be designed to remove Taliban forces, and leave Afghan and coalition police behind to provide security, with the goal being a more stable environment to strengthen local government.

Within the city, U.S. combat forces would be involved in reduced numbers. Outside the city, U.S. forces would be in charge with Afghan units assisting, the senators said.

The senators didn’t downplay the risk of casualties but said this will be the largest Afghan-planned and -led operation since the U.S. began military operations there in 2001.

“We have a difficult fight ahead of us,” said Reed. “The next few months will find difficult fighting.”

Afghan forces have taken the lead in previous battles, but Levin said this will be “a much larger operation right in the heart of Taliban-land. This is the Taliban’s worst nightmare — for the Afghan army to be in the lead in an operation against them.”

As a sign of progress since his January visit, Levin cited increased respect from the Afghan people for the Afghan National Army. He said local citizens respect their army but “detest” and “fear” the Taliban, which is what makes the planned operations so vital.

“We want the Afghans to take responsibility. We want people to see Afghans in charge,” he said.