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Afghan attack won’t change Kandahar security situation: Mattis
SINGAPORE, Oct 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said
Friday the killing of a top Afghan official would not fundamentally change
the security situation in Kandahar province.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for Thursday’s shooting in the
restive southern province that killed anti-Taliban strongman and police
chief, General Abdul Raziq.
At least two other people died during the attack inside a fortified
government compound in Kandahar city that targeted a high-level security
meeting.
The top commander for US and NATO forces, General Scott Miller, was also
present but escaped injury.
Mattis said he did not see Raziq’s death as changing things on the ground
in Kandahar.
“I’ve seen the officers around him. I’ve seen the maturation of the Afghan
security forces,” Mattis told reporters on the sidelines of a security summit
in Singapore.
“It’s a tragic loss of a patriot for Afghanistan. But I don’t see it having
a long term effect on our area.”
The Pentagon chief said it was too early to know if the assault would
hamper turnout for parliamentary elections set for October 20.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1037 HRS