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Daines says withdrawal from Afghanistan not an option

Posted at 12:08 PM, Dec 04, 2018
and last updated 2019-07-17 14:50:52-04

 

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is convinced progress is being made in the conflict in Afghanistan and a U.S. withdrawal is not an option.

Daines, a Montana Republican, returned this week from a fact-finding mission to the region, including stops in Turkey and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he was able to connect with soldiers from the 495th Support Battalion from Kalispell.

Daines made remarks and answered questions from the Montana press on Tuesday morning from Washington, D.C.  He said Afghanistan remains a very dangerous place, and the U.S. needs to maintain a military presence to force the Taliban to the bargaining table.

The U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 17 years, since 2001, when it removed the Taliban government from power.

The Montana National Guard troops deployed in Afghanistan have been there since June. They will spend the holidays overseas and are scheduled to return in mid-March.

Daines was asked if President Trump should visit the troops overseas.  He said he would encourage the Commander in Chief to go.

“It means a lot to the troops” to see officials there in support of their mission, he said.

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U.S. Sen. Steve Daines meet with troops in Afghanistan. courtesy of Daines’ office.