The outgoing top commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen, has expressed confidence in the capability of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). In a recent interview he said, the Afghan security forces “are further along in their capabilities than we had anticipated, and I’m very comfortable frankly with their being in the lead in 2013. This is an acknowledgment of their capabilities.” In his recent visit to Washington President Hamid Karzai agreed with his US counterpart Barack Obama on handing over the lead of military operation against insurgents to ANSF as early as this spring. According to John Allen, a vast improvement in ANSF abilities was behind the decision to accelerate the timetable for putting them in the lead nationwide, although he admits that still the ANSF need much work to become an effective and self-sufficient fighting machine.

There is no doubt that Afghan army has appeared as the most trustable force for the people of Afghanistan. Creation and growth of ANSF can be counted as a major achievement of the international community and the Afghan government. ANSF serves as the biggest hope of Afghan people in regards of securing their lives especially at times when the international troops are on their way home. Nonetheless, the Afghan government and its international backers must allow the ANSF more time to become more efficient. As General Johan Allen says, the ANSF require much work.

Afghan soldiers are 24/7 ready to give sacrifices of any kind for defense of their county against the enemy. There is no doubt in that. Nevertheless the equipments, weaponry, tanks and aircrafts the Afghan land and air forces have on hand are not sufficient. That is fact that has caused them to be less confident.

Therefore, in order to make sure peace and stability improve in Afghanistan; its forces must be trained and equipped sufficiently. It is hoped that the US and other NATO countries would continue supporting the ANSF for a long time after they withdraw their troops from Afghanistan in the end of 2014.

The international community must provide latest weapons, tanks, war crafts and other military equipment to ANSF to let them be in a better position against the insurgents that are related to Taliban and other terrorist groups. ANSF, if strong, can not only ensure better security in Afghanistan but also assist in peace and stability in the region.