Afghanistan: Security the priority as military decides future in war zone

A decision will be made later this year on the size of Australia’s military commitment to Afghanistan.

A decision will be made later this year on the size of Australia’s military commitment to Afghanistan and how long the troops stay.

Brigadier Cheryl Pearce, commander of the Australian Defence Force’s Task Group Afghanistan, said yesterday that building security in Afghanistan was her priority.

“We’re committed financially for years 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the government will make a decision this year on what our footprint is militarily post 2016,” Brigadier Pearce said at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Afghanistan is Australia’s longest war, with 41 members of the Defence Force killed there since 2001.

There are about 270 defence personnel deployed there in non-combat roles.

The Australians play key roles as advisers to the hard-pressed Afghan National Security Forces.

Many members of the local army and police have shown a strong willingness to fight the Taliban insurgents and al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State terrorist group, which are gathering strength there, but they frequently lack the skills and resources and logistic systems to keep frontline forces supplied.

Andrew Hastie, a former SAS officer and Afghanistan veteran who is now a Coalition MP, last night questioned Australia’s military strategy in Afghanistan.

It was very difficult to impose a Western-style system of democracy on such a country, Mr Hastie told Sky News.

Brigadier Pearce said Australia was committed with the international community to the long-term security of Afghanistan to ensure that it did not again become a safe haven for terrorists.

“Improving security is our No 1 priority to ensure that the Afghan people and the government of Afghanistan can have a future that’s free of terrorism, free of insurgents, and to live in a safe and secure environment,” Brigadier Pearce said.

AAP

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: BRENDAN NICHOLSON