Pence pays surprise visit to US troops in Afghanistan

World
Europe

In a surprise visit, US Vice President Mike Pence, told American troops in Afghanistan on Thursday that they have put the Taliban on the defensive.

Flying secretly through the day and night, Pence landed at Bagram Airforce Base on an unannounced visit, to thank some of the roughly 15,000 US personnel serving in Afghanistan.

"The American people deserve to know that with the courage of everyone gathered here, we're making real progress in this fight for freedom in Afghanistan," Pence told the troops.

US Vice President Mike Pence greets troops in a hangar at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, December 21, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Pence's visit comes four months after Trump unveiled a new strategy for Afghanistan which he told the troops was "already bearing fruit."

"We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists," Trump said while unveiling the strategy at Fort Myer, Virginia in August. "In the end, we will win."

During his visit to China last month, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to stand by the "Afghan-owned and Afghan-led" way to realize the peaceful reconstruction of the country.

US President Donald Trump announces his strategy for the war in Afghanistan during an address to the nation from Fort Myer, Virginia, US, December 21, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Pence hails 'new victories' against terrorists

"We've dramatically increased American air strikes. And together with our Afghan partners, we've put the Taliban on the defensive," Pence said – also pointing at efforts to target the drug trafficking networks that help fund the Taliban. "All across this country we've won new victories against the terrorists, no matter what they call themselves or where they try to hide."

"And never doubt that your mission – your mission here in Afghanistan is vital to the safety and security of the American people," Pence said.

His visit also included a helicopter dash from Bagram into the heart of the capital Kabul to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom the United States is counting on to help rebuild the war-shattered country.

US Vice President Mike Pence (L) poses with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani upon arrival at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, December 21, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The vice president also aimed a jab at neighboring Pakistan – reiterating word for word Trump's warning that it must stop offering cross-border safe havens to Taliban factions and armed jihadist groups fighting US troops and their Afghan allies.

"President Trump has put Pakistan on notice," Pence said. "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the United States, and Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency