Afghan security on alert as new NATO mission takes over

AFP, Kabul :Afghan security forces are on high alert today to prevent Taliban attacks marking the end of the year as NATO combat operations close down and a new “train and support” mission takes over.NATO’s war in Afghanistan was formally brought to an end on Sunday at a ceremony in Kabul, when the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was replaced by the US-led mission “Resolute Support”.Today will also see the last 150 French soldiers in Afghanistan hand over responsibilities at Kabul’s military airport to a Turkish unit.A ceremony will be held at the airport and a memorial unveiled to the French war dead.France, which withdrew all its combat troops from the country two years ago, lost 89 soldiers and saw 700 injured in the war since 2001.The conflict against the Taliban still rages across Afghanistan, and an estimated 17,000 foreign soldiers will stay on to assist the local police and army, who face a major challenge as the international military presence declines.The foreign force will consist of the 12,500-strong NATO mission, most of them US troops, and a US counter-terrorism operation outside the NATO remit, though final numbers remain unclear.