Marines are back in Afghanistan’s most violent province, and their mission could expand – Washington Post
A Marine Corps task force newly deployed to Afghanistans most violent province could need additional troops or other resources, depending on what policy decisions that Washington makes for Afghanistan, said the top officer in the task force.
Brig. Gen. Roger B. Turner Jr., asked what additional forces would be helpful, said that his unit has enough capabilities, capacities and authorities now but that if the mission grows, then were not going to have enough to do what we need to do. His terminology describes not only the number of troops his unit has but the kinds of operations they are trained to do and what rules they must follow.
The comments come as the Trump administration weighs adding several thousand U.S. troops across Afghanistan to the 8,400 present to boost the abilities of Afghan security forces, which have suffered thousands of fatalities in each of the past few years. President Trump is expected to make a decision on the plan this month, U.S. officials said.
[Thousands of Marines fought in southern Afghanistan. Now, the service is going back.]
Turners unit, known as Task Force Southwest, numbers about 300 service members and replaced an Army unit named Task Force Forge on April 29. The new mission returns Marines to a part of Afghanistan where more than 20,000 were based in 2010 and 2011 at the height of a troop surge that included more than 100,000 U.S. troops across the country.
Helmand province has long been considered Afghanistans most violent province and was the site of hundreds of Marine deaths between 2008 and 2014. Security across Helmand has continued to deteriorate on the whole since the Marines left a point illustrated recently in March, when Afghan soldiers in Helmands hotly contested Sangin district moved their base of operations out of the districts center after months of conflictwith Taliban fighters.
The Marine task forces headquarters is at Camp Shorab, an Afghan base that was once the site of a sprawling Marine installation known as Camp Leatherneck. Thousands of Marines worked from there as combat troops fanned out across Helmand province in small formations, patrolling on a daily basis.
Turner, speaking from his headquarters Friday, said that none of his troops have seen any combat in their first few weeks deployed, but they are traveling from Camp Shorab regularly. Task force advisers also are based in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, and have already visited the headquarters of each brigade of Afghan troops with which the unit partnered.
Were still seeing a lot of the same activity that we were seeing years ago from the Taliban. They are still scattering IEDs everywhere, the general said, referring to improvised explosive devices. They still kind of indiscriminately target people. They arrest people, they put them in jails, and they extort their families and they extort the farmers for their poppy production and tax them. . . . Its more of the same.
The task force assists the Afghan armys 215th Corps and Afghan police from the 505th Zone, which combine to provide security in Helmand. U.S. military officials say the advising comes at the corps level, meaning it focuses primarily on advising upper echelons of Afghan leaders in the region. The Trump administration and the Afghan government are mulling the placement of more U.S. advisers alongside Afghan officers who lead smaller battalion-size formations.
[Band-Aid on a bullet wound: What Americas new war looks like in Afghanistans most violent province]
Turner said the Marines returned to Helmand to find that some of the same Afghan military and police officials they worked with during the surge, which occurred from late 2009 to late 2014, are still influential. Significant territory in Helmand province was lost to the Taliban in 2016, but Turner said that his advisers have found that past work the U.S. military put into training Afghan forces has not been lost.
I think maybe thats a narrative thats out there, he said. That these forces have been completely degradated, and thats just not true. Some of their combat capability might be degraded, but everything is still there and if some of these issues are fixed, they can be back up to where they were in 2012, 13, 14.
Turner said that he has found that there are places where Afghan brigades are already capable and that adding U.S. advisers to the mix actually would be step backwards. In other places, he said, it could be helpful. He cited issues such as paying soldiers and maintaining vehicles, both of which require coordination with the central government.
Its really about understanding what tasks are coming down the Afghan chain, he said. What are they being tasked to do by the [Interior Ministry] or [Defense Ministry] and the president of Afghanistan, what is their capability and capacity to accomplish those missions, and how can we support them in that?
See the rest here:
Marines are back in Afghanistan's most violent province, and their mission could expand - Washington Post
- 'Welcome to Afghanistan': Shocking tourism promo urging Americans to visit the country goes viral - Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump dishes on Milley clash over leaving military equipment in Afghanistan: 'I knew he was an idiot' - Fox News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Russia becomes the first country to recognize Taliban's rule in Afghanistan - NBC News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Statement of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor on the issuance of arrest warrants in the Situation in Afghanistan - | International Criminal Court - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Following decades in Iran, 'there's nothing left' for millions of Afghan migrants in Afghanistan - France 24 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 45-year-old man in Afghanistan married a 6-year-old child: the Taliban's reaction was swift - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Welcome to Afghanistan': This could be the most bizarre tourism video ever - Stuff - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- The Hairdressers Story: Exile, Loss, and a Forced Return to Afghanistan - 8am.media - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- ICC expresses sadness at the passing of Afghanistan umpire Bismillah Jan Shinwari - ICC - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan's Taliban rule over US objections - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Will Pakistan Be Next to Recognise Taliban Rule in Afghanistan After Russia? - Times Now - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first nation to recognize Taliban government of Afghanistan since 2021 takeover - CNN - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- India abstains from UNGA resolution on Afghanistan, calls for coordinated global efforts against terrorism - News On AIR - - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Experts: Russia Recognizing Taliban Rule in Afghanistan Largely a Symbolic Move - The Moscow Times - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Pakistan warns UN of escalating terror threat from Afghanistan - Dawn - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan. The Taliban are eager to welcome them - The Seattle Times - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Troops kill 30 militants trying to get into Pakistan from Afghanistan - Euronews - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Trump News | 'Afghanistan Maybe The Most Embarrassing Moment In The History Of US': Donald Trump - NDTV - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Afghanistan Emerges as a New Frontier for Adventure Tourism: A Blend of Promise and Challenges - Travel And Tour World - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Afghanistan: A Hidden Gem That Deserves to Be Seen Up Close - Vocal - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First Nation To Recognize Taliban-Led Afghanistan - The Media Line - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia is the first country to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan - Commonspace.eu - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First State to Recognise Taliban Government of Afghanistan - UNITED24 Media - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to officially recognise Taliban in Afghanistan - bne IntelliNews - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- The Unexpected Consequences of War Between Iran and Israel on Afghanistan - The Diplomat Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia is the first country in the world to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan - - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Sanctioned Businessman With Kremlin Ties Returns To Afghanistan - - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Pak security forces kill 30 terrorists trying to infiltrate from Afghanistan - Deccan Herald - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First Country to Recognize Afghanistans Taliban Government - The New York Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Is First Country to Recognize Taliban Rule in Afghanistan - The Daily Beast - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Troops kill 30 militants attempting to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Taliban praise Russias brave decision to recognise their rule in Afghanistan - The Guardian - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government - France 24 - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Pace Thanks Troops in Afghanistan, Notes Signs of Progress - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes the first country to formally recognize Talibans latest rule in Afghanistan - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Troops kill 30 militants attempting to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan - WRAL.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Army Reservist to Receive Silver Star for Heroism in Afghanistan - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first nation to formally recognize Taliban-led government in Afghanistan - LiveNOW from FOX - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Hillsdale veteran Greg Whalen reflects on Afghanistan withdrawal through his music - Hillsdale Daily News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes 1st Country To Recognise Taliban Government Of Afghanistan - NDTV - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- China Hails Russias Decision To Recognize Taliban Rule In Afghanistan; Will Beijing Follow Suit? - EurAsian Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First Nation to Recognise Taliban Rule in Afghanistan - The Wire India - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to recognize Taliban government in Afghanistan - Trkiye Today - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia the first to recognise Taliban government in Afghanistan - BBC - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan - The Indian Express - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia officially recognises the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan - 5Pillars - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia First to Officially Recognize Taliban Government in Afghanistan - - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first nation to formally recognize Taliban rule in Afghanistan - all details here - Mint - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Pakistan army kills 30 militants trying to cross from Afghanistan: Here's all we know - WION - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Kremlin's new stance: Russia first to officially recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government; will foster - Times of India - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Tourists Are Trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban Government Is Eager to Welcome Them - Military.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Afghanistan: First-Hand Accounts Expose Torture by Taliban Intelligence Services - World Organisation Against Torture | OMCT - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Flight to freedom: A pilot's journey from the fall of Afghanistan to fighting fires in America - Fairfield Sun Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Building crutches, walkers, and stretchers from scratch in Afghanistan - Doctors Without Borders - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Russia to host seventh round of Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan this fall - Amu TV - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Earthquake of magnitude 3.9 strikes Afghanistan; third since June 28 - Business Standard - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- US Travelers Join The Surge In Foreign Visitors To Afghanistan, With The Taliban Government Eager To Capitalize On Tourism For Economic Revival -... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - dailyrecordnews.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Afghanistan: Surging returns from Iran overwhelm fragile support systemsThe European Sting is Your democratic, independent and top quality political... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Hengaw Organization for Human Rights: 40 Citizens of Afghanistan Executed in Iran Over the Past Six Months - Hasht-e Subh Daily - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Heavy rainfall triggers fatal flash floods in Maidan Wardak and Logar, Afghanistan - The Watchers - Watching the world evolve and transform - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Earthquake of magnitude 4.9 jolts Afghanistan - Times of India - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- The UN mission for Afghanistan has warned that the influx of deportees risks further destabilising the crisis-wracked country - IslanderNews.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Temple Daily Telegram - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Russia to hold 7th Moscow Format Talks on Afghanistan This Fall - Khaama Press - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Record 256,000 migrants returned to Afghanistan from Iran in June IOM - Daily Excelsior - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan no longer part of World Banks South Asia region; Johannes Zutt to be new head | Today News - Mint - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - AP News - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists trickling back into Afghanistan; Taliban eager to welcome them - Tribune India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Crossing The Divides: Chinas Gamble To Bring CPEC To Afghanistan OpEd - Eurasia Review - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Bluefield Daily Telegraph - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan; Taliban govt eager to welcome them - Telangana Today - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Uzbekistan dispatch: is this country what Afghanistan might have been, or still could be? - JURIST Legal News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- UN Women: 80 Percent of Young Women in Afghanistan Denied Access to Education and Employment - Hasht-e Subh Daily - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Surge in Deportations from Iran: Over 88,000 Afghanistan Citizens Repatriated in Less Than a Week - Hasht-e Subh Daily - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Afghanistan Has Become Safe Haven For Terror Groups Again, Says US Congressman Bill Huizenga - Free Press Journal - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Access to emergency, critical and operative care in Afghanistan: Perspectives from Afghan people in 11 provinces - ReliefWeb - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Poland, Ukraine, Japan, US, Afghanistan and Iraq Witness Explosive Rise in Dark Tourism as Youth Seek Powerful and Haunting Travel Experiences -... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]