- Home
- Pakistan
- News
- From troops' withdrawal to corruption; US, Afghan govts share in blame for ANDSF collapse: Report
From Troops' Withdrawal To Corruption; US, Afghan Govts Share In Blame For ANDSF Collapse: Report
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published May 23, 2022 | 09:24 PM
The United States' decision for military withdrawal, corruption of the Afghan government, and lack of ownership led to the collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), according to a report
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd May, 2022 ) :The United States' decision for military withdrawal, corruption of the Afghan government, and lack of ownership led to the collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), according to a report.
In its interim report titled, "Collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces: An Assessment of the Factors That Led to Its Demise," the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) pointed out the reasons why, after 20 years and nearly $90 billion in US security assistance, the ANDSF was ill-prepared to sustain security following the US withdrawal.
The report clearly dispels the impression created by some elements shifting the blame for the takeover of Taliban to Pakistan, clearly stating the single most important near-term factor in the ANDSF's collapse was the US decision to withdraw the US military and contractors from Afghanistan through the US-Taliban agreement in February 2020.
In total, for the United States alone, the mission spanned four US presidents, 10 ambassadors, seven Secretaries of State, eight Secretaries of Defense, 12 CSTC-A commanders, eight CENTCOM commanders, and 18 US and coalition ISAF/Resolute Support commanders.
Counting the corruption among major factors, the report stated that the Afghan government's corruption harmed the ANDSF capabilities and morale.
In June 2020, the Department of Defence determined that corruption remained a "key vulnerability" in ANDSF combat power and combat readiness. The theft of resources like fuel, funded through the Afghan Security Forces Fund (ASFF), underscored this vulnerability.
"Corrupt ANDSF officials at all institutional levels degraded security, force readiness, and overall capabilities� In Afghanistan the culture of impunity generally started at the top and then normalized extortion, embezzlement, fraud, and other abusive behaviors within the entire system.
It said no single country or agency had complete ownership of the ANDSF development; the length of U.
S. commitment did not reflect the actual time required to build an entire security sector and that the advisors were often ill-trained and inexperienced for their mission.
Moreover, the US created long-term dependencies by taking over equipment procurement for the ANDSF and providing it with advanced equipment it could not independently sustain.
Another factor was the failure of the US and Afghan governments to develop the police force and Afghan officials' lack of ownership of military strategies.
After 20 years of training and development, the ANDSF never became a cohesive, substantive force capable of operating on its own.
"The US and Afghan governments share in the blame. Neither side appeared to have the political commitment to doing what it would take to address the challenges, including devoting the time and resources necessary to develop a professional ANDSF, a multi-generational process," the report said.
In essence, it said the US created a false reality with the ANDSF. On the Afghan side, corruption dominated government officials who often focused on personal gain at the country's expense.
Due to a lack of accountability and oversight by US, NATO, and Afghan government, a culture of impunity swept its way through the security sector.
"Unless the U.S. government understands and accounts for what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how it went wrong in Afghanistan, it will likely repeat the same mistakes in the next conflict," SIGRA said.
Moreover, former President Ashraf Ghani frequently changed ANDSF leaders and appointed loyalists, while marginalizing well-trained ANDSF officers aligned with the United States.
Contrary to the accusations against it, Pakistan always desired peace, stability and development in Afghanistan and sincerely worked to achieve this objective.
Pakistan believes that being the immediate neighbor, its peace and progress are directly linked to peace and development in Afghanistan.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Naval Chief participates in 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in China
3 hours ago -
Int'l symposium addresses capacity building for safe, environmentally sound ship recycling in Pakist ..
3 hours ago -
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
4 hours ago -
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
4 hours ago -
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
4 hours ago -
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
4 hours ago
-
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil Rights in South Asia ..
4 hours ago -
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
4 hours ago -
Pakistan embassy organizes scholarship award ceremony in Kathmandu
4 hours ago -
SC to hear case pertaining IHC judges' letter on April 30
4 hours ago -
SC orders removal of barriers outside buildings in Karachi
4 hours ago -
PFA launches crackdown, impose fine for selling expired drinks, food items
4 hours ago