Afghan forces formally take over responsibility for protecting nation

Afghanistan’s national security forces formally took over responsibility for protecting their nation Thursday, days after the U.S.-led foreign combat mission came to a close.

In a speech at the presidential palace, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani congratulated the 350,000 members of the security forces, which include both the military and various police departments, for completing a two-year transition process and taking command of their own destiny.

“In the past 13 years, due to the problems in the region and the world, [our] security was a joint responsibility,” said Ghani, who previously headed a commission that guided the transition. “Now it belongs solely to Afghans.”

“Our citizens can't live without peace,” Ghani told a gathering that included security officials, lawmakers and his predecessor as president, Hamid Karzai. “The world's security is linked to Afghanistan's security.”

Underscoring the challenges facing Afghan security forces, a personal dispute turned into an overnight gun battle in the capital, leaving one person dead, and a stray mortar round hit a wedding party Wednesday, killing at least 26 people.

In his speech, Ghani called on regional neighbors in Central and South Asia to join in the fight against terrorism, saying, “We can either join hands and fight terrorism together or watch as we all drown together.”

In the past, Afghans have accused neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, of aiding and abetting the armed opposition in their country.   Read More at latimes