The U.S. and NATO forces top commander, Gen. Scott Miller is expecting a ramp up in the Taliban violence as the Eid-Three-Day ceasefire has ended amid the pullout of the international forces.
He said that the U.S. Forces kept eyes on the Taliban’s activities. Miller cited the remarks in an interview with the BBC. “Ideally, they would continue with the reduced violence because it is something that the Afghan people want,” he added. “But the expectation is that they (the Taliban) will pick up violence in the nearer term.”
The Taliban and government announced a three-day ceasefire earlier to mark the Eid-al-fitr holidays. The people allover the country celebrated the ceasefire and Eid-holidays with joy and called for the continuation of the truce.
But Miller vowed that the insurgents would try to mount pressure on different provincial capitals. “It was the time for the Afghan security forces to show their strength, Miller said, adding that the coalition forces cooperated with the Afghan security forces even during their withdrawal. “Even as we’re retrograding, we are certainly trying to put them (Afghan forces) in the best possible posture that we are able to,” he cited.
Gen. Miller added the Afghan forces were capable of keeping the Taliban at bay. “They have to hold,” the general continued.
About the US mission in Afghanistan, he claimed there were some victories along the way. “But I think history will judge this and the future will tell the rest of the story.”
