KABUL - Hans-Lothar Domröse, Germany's highest-ranking NATO general who is currently in Afghanistan, visited German troops in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Balkh province where he renewed his government's support to assisting the Afghan security forces in their quest to eliminate insurgency.

He said that the security situation in Afghanistan will hopefully improve in the coming months especially due to the split within the Taliban.

Optimistic over the capabilities of the Afghan forces, Domröse said that Afghan troops were getting stronger as time goes by, adding that he was surprised that the local forces had been improving nicely despite the volatile security situation in the war-hit country.

The German military official also met Afghan troops in Helmand, Kandahar, Balkh and Kabul provinces.

"I am cautiously optimistic in particular as the Taliban seems to be fractured. They fight for leadership - Mansour or somebody else - who is the leader - as long as this is not clear we call it red on red, they fight each other. It makes life easier on us," Domröse said.

Joining Domröse, commander of NATO's RS mission in Balkh, Gen. Hartmut Renk also expressed optimism over the performance of the Afghan forces on the battlefields.

"We have very professional partners in our combined team, it is great working with your leaders of all ANSF pillars," Renk said.

Presently up to 600 troops are serving in the ranks of NATO Resolute Support mission in Balkh province - in an advise, assist and train capacity.

Overall 1,000 German troops serve in Afghanistan with 600 of them deployed in Mazar-e-Sharif.

The NATO general also reaffirmed support to Afghanistan at a time that the Afghan security forces continue their struggle against the insurgents in several fronts in the northern regions of the country. (Tolonews)