US’s War Machine Hagel on surprise visit to Afghanistan

Outgoing US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has arrived in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on an unannounced visit to the war-torn country.

The Saturday visit comes as most of the US-led forces are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of this month following 13 years of war in the country.

Hagel told reporters that the Afghan security forces are prepared to take charge of security of the country.

“As difficult, as challenging, as long as this has been — by any definition, the country of Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan are far better off today than they were 13 years ago,” Hagel claimed.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have fallen victim to the US-led war in Afghanistan.

“They have the ability to decide their own fate, their own way, on their terms. They’re not completely there yet. But they’ve come a long way,” he said.

Hagel, who is shortly to step down from office, will meet with President Ashraf Ghani as well as senior US commanders and troops in the country.

A US-led support mission of about 12,500 soldiers will replace with NATO’s combat mission that ends on December 31.

According to a recent bilateral security agreement signed between the US and Afghanistan, the mission will provide training and assistance for the Afghan security forces as of January 2015.

The US-led offensive on Afghanistan in 2001 removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues across the country despite the presence of tens of thousands of foreign troops.