ANSF can’t sustain themselves: Dempsey

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): Even as Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) did a commendable job in peaceful conduct of general elections, but they were not ready to sustain themselves over the long term, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Tuesday.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, who has just returned from Afghanistan, said this while sharing his assessment about Afghan forces with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee at a Congressional hearing.

“I just came back from Afghanistan on Saturday, and ANSF did an absolutely remarkable job of managing their elections. They peak for the big events, but they’re not ready to sustain themselves over the long term,” Dempsey remarked.             

The ANSF need a lift capability and attack capability, he said, adding there was no alternative. “The military reason is what I just expressed, which is a concern that we would leave the Afghan security forces without an air component for some time.”

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