US general ‘concerned’ about Afghan troops after US withdrawal

Top general McKenzie said Afghan military may not be able to hold ground against Taliban once foreign troops leave.

Top US General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, the head of Central Command which directs forces in Afghanistan, has said he is concerned over the “ability of the Afghan military to hold the ground that they’re on now” after US troops withdraw from the country. McKenzie testified before the US Senate Committee on Thursday, just over a week over President Joe Biden announced that remaining US troops would withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11, officially ending Washington’s longest war. The Biden administration said the withdrawal would not be “conditions based”, meaning it would go forward despite what happens in the conflict. NATO has also said it would withdraw its approximately 7,000 remaining troops from Afghanistan, who, along with forces from Australia, New Zealand and Georgia, provide support and training to Afghan’s military.