The official completion of the military mission is scheduled for August 31.
Marine Corps General Kenneth McKenzie, who leads US Central Command in hot spots including Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, flew to Kabul to emphasize that the US will continue to provide assistance to Afghan security forces.
“Admittedly, this will be very different from what it was before. I’m not going to underestimate it. But we will support them,” said Mackenzie.
At the same time, he warned that the Taliban appear to be aiming at a military solution to the conflict, which the United States has unsuccessfully tried to resolve through negotiations between the Taliban and the government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
He warned that provincial capitals are under threat, but noted that the Afghan security forces are determined to fight very hard for them.
Even after Miller stepped down, Mackenzie will still be able to authorize airstrikes against the Taliban until August 31, after which he will focus directly on counter-terrorism operations against al-Qaeda and ISIS.
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