The US Army is readying plans that could increase the total force in Afghanistan by as many as 1000 US troops this spring beyond the 14000 already in the country, senior military officials said, The Washington Post reports.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has not signed off on the proposals for the new forces, which are part of a broader strategy to bolster Afghan forces so that they can pound the Taliban during the upcoming fighting season.
The possible increases have the support of the Army’s senior leadership, which has been working to determine the mix of troops required to execute a strategy centered on a new combat formation.