Army Gen. John Nicholson Jr., commander of the U.S. Forces Afghanistan, has highlighted significant reductions in Islamic State group-held territories in Afghanistan since U.S. troops there received counterterrorism authority in January, DoD News reported Thursday.
Terri Moon Cronk writes Nicholson told Pentagon reporters the militant organization’s regional affiliate in Afghanistan has decreased from 10 districts in southern Nangarhar to as few as three after President Barack Obama authorized the U.S. force’s operations in the country.
The Resolute Support mission commander added that Operation Shafaq, part of the Afghans’ security strategy against terrorism, has achieved success, according to the report.
“Overall, our mission in Afghanistan is on a positive trajectory,†Nicholson said.
The U.S. Forces Afghanistan also uses the counterterrorism authority to strike ISIL-Khorasan in southern Nangahar, Cronk reports.
“We are also partnered with some of the Afghan special forces as we conduct these operations,†Nicholson told reporters.
