US deploys 'HIMARS' to support withdrawal from Afghanistan

(MENAFN - Khaama Press) Image Source: US army Central Central Command US Armed Forces in A tweet said, that the US military has deployed the HIMARS system to Afghanistan for ensuring a safe and protect withdrawal process. The HIMARS multiple rockets were moved from Kuwait to secure the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, CENTCOM tweeted on Tuesday. The multiple rockets is a full-spectrum, 24/7, precision weapons system that is able to hit a target 43 miles away, US Central Command tweeted. Earlier on Sunday US and NATO commander, General Scott Miller confirmed that coalition forces have started the withdrawal process from Afghanistan, but they will continue supporting their Afghan counterparts.   'All of our forces are now preparing to retrograde,' Miller said in a press conference, adding that 'the notification day will be the first of May but at the same time as we start taking local actions, we have already begun' the pull-out process. Miller has received a set of order and some very clear objectives, he said, 'First and foremost, it's my objective to ensure that the Afghan security forces are in the best possible security posture. Also, that I will-we will-conduct an orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan and that means transitioning bases and equipment to the Afghan security forces'. General Miller is also authorized for "ensuring it is as safe as possible, meaning we will protect the force as we depart from Afghanistan,', he added. The US has the military power and capability to fully protect its forces during retrograde and as well as facilitate Afghan security forces, Miller hinted. Moreover, the Pentagon spokesman said this week that the Resolute support mission effectively ends on May 1st following the withdrawal announcement. The resolute missions shits on Saturday to come one of drawdown, Kirby added 'it's no longer about advise-assist for Afghan National Security Forces, and it's �it's no longer the Resolute Support mission under the NATO hat. It becomes the mission to draw down, to leave Afghanistan, and the � the assets at General Miller's disposal will be designed to help him execute this drawdown in a safe and orderly way'.  'May 1st is just around the corner, so they're working hard at the final preparations to execute that new mission on May 1st', Kirby said. He added that it would be irresponsible for the US to not expect attacks by the Taliban during the pull-out process, he said 'that is why you are seeing additional force protection assets being flown � flowed into the region. We already talked about the carrier. We talked about the bombers yesterday. And as I said yesterday, there's certainly, without getting into details, the likelihood that, you know, some additional ground force elements, too, could be introduced into Afghanistan to help us with a safe and orderly drawdown'. Kirby said that Miller's functions will be changed to draw down the U.S, NATO personnel, and contractors currently serving in Afghanistan, Miller must make sure to accomplish this mission successfully, safely, and orderly. 'After that, our relationship with Afghan National Security Forces transitions to one of support from outside the country, and we talked about that largely being through financial means,' Kirby said. He also indicated that the Afghan government still requires support from US contractors for aviation maintenance and that the US is working on its way 'through that'. Miller has order to 'make sure he can keep our troops and those of our allies safe as they � as they come out'. This comes as US Secretary of Defense formally praised Pakistan's efforts for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. On Wednesday General Lloyd Austin and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed US troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan in a phone conversation. Pakistani army media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that mutual interest, regional security, and new developments in the Afghan peace process were discussed. Bajwa promised that Pakistan would always support Afghan-led and owned peace process formed on consensus among entire stakeholders. The US Defense Department also stated that during the conversation that both of the military chiefs stressed regional security and stability. 'During the call, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the importance of the US� Pakistan bilateral relationship and expressed appreciation for Pakistan's support for Afghanistan peace negotiations,' the Defense Department stated. Bajwa and Austin also talked about the mutual interests of the United States and Pakistan in working together over shared goals and objectives in the region.MENAFN29042021000228011069ID1102001066