Afghanistan confirms deployment of US Special Forces to Farah province

The Afghan Ministry of Defense has confirmed that US Special Forces have been deployed to the western province of Farah near the Iranian border.

Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said on Sunday that the deployment aimed to train Afghan troops on how to use new weapons, stressing that US Special Forces would not take part in combat operations.

He did not provide further details and it is yet not clear how many troops have been deployed to the province.

The deployment comes despite President Donald Trump's election campaign promises to end US military intervention in Afghanistan.

Trump introduced a new Afghanistan strategy in August last year, hinting at relaxing the rules of engagement, accelerating strikes and other military actions aimed at producing “an honorable and enduring outcome.”

Since he took office, the number of troops has nearly doubled in Afghanistan – from 8,500 in early 2017 to 14,000 earlier this year.

SS