WASHINGTON - Expressing concern over increasing violence in Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said it will remain focused on battling terrorist groups, including the Islamic State.
“We are very concerned about any reports of violence in Afghanistan, whether it's from Taliban or ISIL and obviously for the Afghan people in light of this attack,” the Pentagon press secretary said.
Peter Cook told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday the United States had worked closely with the Afghan government to look at the threat that ISIL posed in Afghanistan.
“We've taken significant steps in Afghanistan under the leadership of General Nicholson to address the ISIL threat and made significant progress working alongside Afghan forces with regard to that,” Cook said.
But Daesh still posed, obviously, a threat to Afghanistan, he said, adding the US would continue to stay focused on ISIL wherever it reared its head, whether it was Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria or other parts of the world, Cook said.
“We stand prepared to support Afghan forces as needed and we'll continue the mission we have to train and advise mission with the Afghan forces as we have been for the last couple years.  There's no change in our role, even though the Afghans may be pushing operations into the winter months…”
Cook said the US forces conducted a precision airstrike near Sarmada, Syria, on November 18 that killed Abu Afghan al-Masri, a senior al-Qaeda in Syria leader.
Al-Masri, an Egyptian, originally joined al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and later moved to its Syrian affiliate. He had ties to terrorist groups operating throughout Southwest Asia, including groups responsible for attacking US and Coalition forces in Afghanistan and those plotting to attack the West, he said. (Pajhwok)