REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KABUL -- The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) on Thursday assumed the full security charges from NATO-led troops as the security transition ended, said Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
"Afghanistan's national security forces are responsible for security duties of all the country from today on. It is a blessing and congratulatory day. I congratulate Afghans for this historic day," Ghani told a gathering held in the fortified Presidential Palace to mark the event.
Transition of security responsibilities from NATO forces to the ANSF began in July, 2011 and lasted till the end of 2014.
A security and defense pact between Afghanistan and the United States, known as Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), and an agreement between the NATO and Afghan government, or Status of NATO Forces (SOFA), which were signed in late September, also entered into the force on Thursday Jan. 1.
The BSA and SOFA would enable the U.S. and NATO to keep around 13,000 troops in Afghanistan.
On the day, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) also switched from combat to support role - NATO-led Resolute Support mission, which will focus on training, advising and assisting Afghan forces.
"From today onwards decisions will be taken by Afghans and our international allies will help us," Ghani said.
"I want to thank our security and defense forces. They are the true sons of Afghanistan. We are proud of them. We trust them. I want all Afghans to support them," the Afghan leader noted.
He thanked the ANSF for their sacrifices and commitments.
In parts of his 45-minute address, the Afghan leader said " regional countries have to know that no place is safe in Asia unless Afghanistan is safe and peaceful."
All Asian countries should come together to help stabilize Afghanistan, he said, adding "there is no good and bad in terrorism. People who killed children in Yahya Khel of Afghanistan, Peshawar (in Pakistan) or Mumbai are all the same terrorists."
"From now on, we must take the responsibility of securing Afghanistan, and we'll not allow our soil be a battle ground for proxy wars," Ghani said.
Ghani, who is also the Commander in-Chief of Afghan security forces, announced promotion for all those military officers who have not promoted in last five years.
The Taliban insurgent group has intensified subversive activities with a string of bombings and armed attacks over the past couple of months as majority of foreign troops were leaving the country.
About 5,000 Afghan troops had been killed last year and nearly 10,000 civilians were killed and injured in 2014 in the Asian country.
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