[17/May/2011]

BEIJING, May 17 (Saba) -The Afghan army and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force have made progress in fighting insurgents but challenges remain.

Lt. General David Rodriquez, Commander of ISAF Joint Command said Afghan and coalition forces have made an impact against many of the insurgents' support bases and weakened the enemy's effectiveness.

But he noted that the Taliban-led insurgency would intensify this summer. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of Staff at IJC, said that the violence in Afghanistan is becoming much more isolated than it was in previous years.

Currently, more than 140 thousand foreign troops, including nearly 100 thousand Americans, are deployed in Afghanistan.

Late last month, the Taliban declared the start of a spring offensive against the Afghan army and NATO-led international forces.

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