Even as NATO forces have halted most joint operations with Afghan troops due to “insider” killings, the White House said Tuesday that President Obama’s plans in Afghanistan are still on target to withdraw American forces and turn over security to Afghans in 2014.
“The transition the president has laid out will absolutely continue,” said White House press secretary Jay Carney. “It doesn’t affect the timeline.”
NATO decided Monday to scale back its operations with Afghan security forces in order to lower the risk of them turning their guns on American and allied forces. U.S. officials say the move is temporary. There have been 51 deaths of NATO forces in 36 such so-called “green-on-blue” attacks this year.
Mr. Carney said although the military “continues to work to understand why” these attacks are occurring, it won’t affect U.S. plans for a withdrawal of forces by the end of 2014.
“The president’s policy of gradually turning over security lead to Afghan forces continues,” he said. “And that is part of a broader strategy that will result in more American troops coming home.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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