The top US commander in Afghanistan said today that he needs a "few thousand" more troops to better accomplish a key part of the mission in the war-torn country and complained that Russian meddling there is complicating the counterterror fight.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen John Nicholson didn't provide an exact number, but said the additional forces are required to properly train and advise the Afghan military so they can eventually operate independently.
Nicholson told the panel that the extra troops could come from the United States or from other countries that are part of the American-led coalition in Afghanistan.
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Nicholson said he's discussed the need for more troops with Defense Secretary James Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
There are currently about 8,400 US troops conducting counterterrorism operations against insurgents and training the Afghans.
The conflict in Afghanistan is its 16th year, making it America's longest war.
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