In photos: Afghan forces train for upcoming campaign against militants

Fresh recruits to Afghanistan's elite special operations forces will soon be on the frontline of the war against a resurgent Taliban.

Story by Anne Chaon from AFP / Photos by Shah Marai from AFP

2017-09-08

In this photograph taken on August 10, 2017, an Afghan commando instructor explains how to fire during live firing exercises at Camp Morehead on the outskirts of Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

In this photograph taken on July 27, 2017, Afghan special forces perform a drill during exercises at their training centre in Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

In this photograph taken on May 3, 2017 Afghan National Army soldiers demonstrate their skills at the Kabul Military training centre on the outskirts of Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

In this photograph taken on July 27, 2017, Afghan special forces perform a drill during exercises at their training centre in Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

In this photograph taken on August 10, 2017, an Afghan commando opens fire during live firing exercises at Camp Morehead on the outskirts of Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

In this photograph taken on May 3, 2017, Afghan National Army soldiers train at the Kabul Military training centre on the outskirts of Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

In this photograph taken on May 3, 2017, Afghan National Army soldiers look at an Afghan-made improvised explosive device at the Kabul Military training centre in the outskirts of Kabul. [Shah Marai/AFP]

KABUL -- Fresh recruits to Afghanistan's elite special operations forces will soon be on the frontline of the war against a resurgent Taliban -- a battle the United States has vowed "to win" by putting more American boots on the ground indefinitely.

Camp Morehead, a former Soviet base near Kabul, is one of two training bases where the commandos are drilled by Afghan instructors in a programme overseen by US-led international forces.

Since US-led NATO troops ended their combat mission in December 2014, Afghan's special forces and commandos have served as a bulwark against attacks launched by the Taliban and other Islamic militant groups.

"The reason why they are so good is because they have been trained by some of the best special forces around the world," said a US general.