New Afghan army graduates ready to fight terrorism, officials say

By Izazullah

President Ashraf Ghani February 23 in Kabul addresses a graduation ceremony for Afghan soldiers at the Marshal Fahim National Defence University. [Courtesy of Izazullah]

President Ashraf Ghani February 23 in Kabul addresses a graduation ceremony for Afghan soldiers at the Marshal Fahim National Defence University. [Courtesy of Izazullah]

KABUL -- More than 400 graduates of the Marshal Fahim National Defence University are heading into the armed forces to protect Afghanistan.

The new officers, including 67 women, graduated February 23, Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials told Salaam Times. They completed a year of training.

President Ashraf Ghani was one of the well-wishers who spoke at their commencement, which Salaam Times attended.

High praise for graduates

The military academy has produced 3,091 graduates in the past few years, according to Defence Minister Gen. Abdullah Habibi, who addressed media that day.

"These are the real heroes of our country," Habibi said at the ceremony.

"Everyone can count on their abilities and willingness to sacrifice," MoD spokesman Dawlat Waziri told Salaam Times.

Ghani, in his own remarks, promised extensive reforms of the defence and security sectors, including a four-year plan to develop the armed forces.

The new troops will help build the country and deny victory to the enemy, Ghani added.

Afghan forces are fully prepared to defeat internal and external threats, Afghan National Army (ANA) Chief of General Staff Gen. Qadam Shah Shahim said in his speech.

The international community has pledged modern hardware to the Afghan forces, Gen. Sharif Sharifi, commandant of the university, told the graduates in his remarks.

Some of that equipment is coming "this year", he added, urging the graduates to be "resolute" in fighting the adversary.

Optimistic graduates and observers

New graduates and military observers say they expect the crop of new officers to make a valuable contribution in defeating the insurgency.

The new officers are ready to defend Afghanistan, one of them, Waheedullah, told Salaam Times. "We will defend our homeland ... and will fight insurgents to the end," he said.

Zamaray Shinwari, another graduate, told Salaam Times that he wants to show the people that insurgents amount to nothing when confronted by the ANA. It is ready to beat back the Taliban and "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) and bring back peace and stability, he said.

The latest graduating class reflects the heightened interest among young Afghans in joining the military, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim Ahmadzai, commander of the ANA Recruiting Department, told Salaam Times.

"For the past year, we've worked on a new strategy with provincial governors, tribal elders and local religious leaders," he said. "As a result, we have more Afghans joining the army."

The Afghan nation will stand alongside the ANA, Kabul-based military analyst Gen. (ret.) Atiqullah Amarkhil told Salaam Times. Solidarity between the people and the forces "will enhance governance ... and security", he said.

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