Taliban 'surging' in Afghanistan, US defence chief warns
June 13, 2017  23:35
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Pentagon chief Jim Mattis today warned lawmakers that the Taliban is surging in Afghanistan, and said America is "not winning" in the country.

The "Taliban had a good year last year, they are trying to have a good one this year," Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"Right now I believe the enemy is surging."

Mattis said he expected to present a revised strategy by mid-July. He is believed to be mulling sending an additional 3,000 to 5,000 US troops.

"We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. We will correct this as soon as possible," he said.

The Afghan conflict is the longest in American history, with US-led NATO troops at war there since 2001, after the ousting of the Taliban regime.
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