The white house is considering a plan to replace military personnel of the US army in Afghanistan, employees of private military companies and mercenaries. This was reported in an interview with USA today Erik Prince, founder of security firm Blackwater.
According to this proposal, 5500 mercenaries, particularly from ex-commandos, will instruct and give advice to Afghan military units. This plan also includes private aviation from 90 aircraft that provide air support in the nearly 16-year war against the Taliban.
The idea of privatization emerged due to the lack of progress in the field of military operations and, as a consequence, the growing frustration of the President trump.
The armed forces of America has in Afghanistan 8400 U.S. military personnel for training and guidance of local forces. They do not participate directly in hostilities and are expected to be gradually replaced by mercenaries.
Currently, troops from the US-led coalition are held predominantly in the headquarters and not in the normal combat units. According to the plan, the mercenaries will be combined with more than 90 combat battalions of Afghanistan throughout the country.
The Secretary of state Rex Tillerson said this week that the White house is looking for a new strategy to put an end to this war. Right now the plan is still under discussion. Herbert McMaster, Advisor to the President for national security, and James Mattis, the Minister of defense, doubt the plan. Other politicians, including Stephen Bannon, support the use of mercenaries in war.
