US Temporarily Halts Training of Afghan Local Police

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In light of the recent spike in so-called insider attacks by members of Afghan security forces on coalition troops, US special operations forces have temporarily suspended the training of roughly 1,000 Afghan Local Police recruits pending the re-vetting of all 16,000 ALP members, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters on Sept. 4. The decision does not impact NATO training with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, nor does it affect partnered operations with Afghan forces, states a Pentagon release. Little said anti-Afghan government insurgents “are alarmed by the ALP, whose legitimacy in local intelligence networks make it exceedingly difficult” for them “to maintain or establish a foothold in local communities.” He added, “This is one of the reasons that the Taliban would like to exploit the ALP, and it is why in part it is so important that the vetting process be sound for all members of the ALP.” As of late August, more than 40 coalition troops have died in these insider attacks, with a greater number wounded, according to the Pentagon. (Little transcript)

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