The commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan delivered an optimistic assessment of the unpopular war on Tuesday, telling lawmakers his troops will continue to make headway against Taliban insurgents even with a drawdown of American troops set to begin in July.
General David Petraeus, in his first congressional testimony since becoming Afghanistan commander last year, reiterated the Pentagon's message that President Barack Obama's decision to deploy an extra 30,000 troops succeeded in winning key territory away from the Taliban.
"There have been setbacks as well as successes. Indeed, the experience has been akin to that of a roller coaster ride," Petraeus told senators. "Much difficult work lies ahead." "Although the insurgents are already striving to regain lost momentum and lost safe havens as we enter the spring fighting season, we believe that we will be able to build on the momentum achieved in 2010 - though that clearly will entail additional tough fighting," Petraeus added. American troops have been fighting in Afghanistan since 2001, when US forces helped oust the Taliban rulers who had harboured the al Qaeda militants responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States. Yet Petraeus faces a challenge in arguing that the US military can safely reduce its numbers in Afghanistan even as it prepares for a bloody spring and the Pentagon urges Nato nations against pulling out too quickly.
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