Defense Ministry: Force consists of over 100,000 troops

KABUL (Tolo News): The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Defense said that its forces have reached between 100,000 and 150,000 troops.

The ministry’s spokesman, Enayatullah Khwarazmi, said that facilities and equipment have been provided for these forces, and their salaries will be paid at the designated time.

“We have between 100,000 and 150,000 armed and equipped troops to provide security, guard our borders, protect our trenches–and our border forces are active,” Khwarazmi noted.

“They should have used all the staff from the (former) government departments, including civil and military ones, and included them in the government so they work on rebuilding and providing peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said Samar Sadat, a military expert.

Khwarazmi added that former soldiers are also included in the structure of the ministry’s forces.

“They are obliged to use professionals and specialists from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, intelligence, and intelligence agencies who have sufficient experience,” said Sarwar Niazi, a military analyst.

According to some military analysts, the current government needs the support of other nations to maintain and supply this army.

“Foreign nations must make secret pledges to assist supplying their army, otherwise the Taliban will not be able to do so in the current situation,” said Asadullah Nadim, a military analyst.

“It has been nearly two years that the Taliban have controlled Afghanistan. Have we imported a tank, a cannon, or an airplane from other countries? Or are we in agreement on this? And besides this, professional education is necessary, but it is something we sadly lack,” said Mohammad Zalmai Afghanyar, a military analyst.

There were 350,000 security and defense troops up until August 2021, when the previous government ended.