Ramona Adams
The U.S. Central Command has launched an effort to realign its operations following the U.S. military’s progress in the fight against the Islamic State militant group, DoD News reported Tuesday.
Gen. Joseph Votel, head of Centcom, told House Armed Services Committee members Tuesday that the command aims to achieve three goals to support regional stability.
Votel said the first goal is to conclude major combat operations in Iraq and Syria and responsibly close the anti-ISIS campaign.
The military’s accomplishments in the campaign give Centcom an opportunity to transfer some resources from Iraq and Syria to Afghanistan, he added.
Centcom also aims to prioritize the implementation of the South Asia strategy in Afghanistan, which will involve the U.S. counterterrorism mission and the NATO-led effort to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces.
Votel noted that the command intends to help Afghan forces operate, expand population control and facilitate elections.
The command’s third goal is to align its military activities with interagency and international efforts to address the “destabilizing impact” of Iran on the region.
