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Mattis backs US Afghan commander; Two US soldiers killed in Iraq
 by Staff Writers
 Washington (AFP) Aug 14, 2017


Two US soldiers killed in Iraq: military
Baghdad (AFP) Aug 13, 2017 - Two US soldiers were killed and five wounded in northern Iraq on Sunday during "combat operations", a statement from the American military said.

"Initial reports indicate the incident was not due to enemy contact," said the statement from Centcom, the US military command in the Middle East.

It added that an investigation was under way, but gave no further details about what happened or where.

A US-led coalition is supporting Iraqi forces in operations against the jihadist Islamic State group, notably in the north of the country.

According to the website iCasualties.org, which lists coalition casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, 11 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq this year.

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Monday he backs the top US commander in Afghanistan -- after President Donald Trump reportedly suggested firing him.

NBC News this month said Trump had told Mattis and General Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, they should replace General John Nicholson, who heads up US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Nicholson "is our commander in the field. He has the confidence of NATO, he has the confidence of Afghanistan, he has the confidence of the United States," Mattis told Pentagon reporters.

Trump "is looking at all aspects of our effort over there, as he must in his responsibilities as the commander-in-chief," Mattis added.

When asked if he personally backed Nicholson staying in the job, Mattis said: "Of course."

Trump has yet to announce a strategy for Afghanistan, but Mattis said one is "very, very close."

Possible plans include sending thousands more troops into the nearly 16-year conflict, or taking the opposite tack and pulling out, leaving private military contractors to help the Afghans oversee the fragile security situation.

THE STANS
Afghanistan contractors accused of misusing money on luxury cars, salaries
 Washington (UPI) Aug 9, 2017
 A contractor responsible for training intelligence officers in Afghanistan has been accused of spending money on luxury cars and six figure salaries for employees' significant others, according to a government audit. The findings came out of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction quarterly report on the Legacy East intelligence program and have drawn the attention ... read more
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