On Sept. 10, 2011, U.S. Army Pfc. Garrick Carlton, center, of Sacramento, Calif., hikes past burning rubbish to man a hilltop observation post along with fellow Pfc. Michael Tompkins, of Wadsworth, Ohio, left, and Pfc. Austin D'Amica, of San Diego, at Combat Outpost Monti in Kunar province, Afghanistan.(Photo: David Goldman, AP)
President Obama has approved a plan to allow limited air support for Afghan forces after the conventional U.S. military role ends this year, according to media reports.
American counter-terrorism forces will also be allowed to target any militant groups threatening the Afghan government or coalition forces.
The decision was first reported by the
New York Times, citing unnamed officials. The Associated Press confirmed aspects of the reports.
Both missions have been under negotiation for some time as the U.S. draws down its forces and transitions to an advice and support role in Afghanistan.
While the decision does not change the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, it does reflect a more cooperative role with the new government in Kabul. President Ashraf Ghani has a stronger relationship with the United States than his predecessor, Hamid Karzai, who was often critical of the U.S. role in Afghanistan.
Precise details on the White House decision remained unclear. Lt. Col. Patrick Seiber, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Afghanistan, said he was not aware yet of the decision.
Afghanistan's armed forces have a limited capabilities and have been seeking continued air support, and the United States has always intended to leave a counter-terrorism force in Afghanistan after this year.
It's unclear whether the U.S. forces would be limited to targeting al-Qaeda or would have a broader role allowing them to target the Taliban. Seiber declined to discuss what militant groups U.S. forces could target under the agreement.
The United States plans to draw down to 9,800 troops by the end of this year and pull all of them out of the country by the end of 2016.
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