Demonstrating capabilities

The Afghan security forces began a major operation on February 16, against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. The operation - referred to as Zolfiqar - is the first "completely Afghan-led offensive" in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand Province since US-led international forces ended their military mission in the country.

"So far, 45 insurgents have been killed, 11 injured and the security forces have seized a large number of weapons and ammunition," the Afghan Ministry of Defense said in a statement on February 18.

While the operation is intended to showcase Afghan Security forces' abilities, military experts say that the mission also serves to highlight the troops' need for more equipment such as heavy weapons and continued foreign support.

"The operation will show the international community that Afghan security forces are now able to carry out major operations on their own but that they still need help in a lot of areas," Kabul-based former army general Amanullah Aman told DW.

Concerns prevail

Some issues still remain about the Afghan troops' ability to ensure security across the country, particularly after the US-led NATO military mission ended at the end of 2014.

Although a contingent of foreign troops still remains in the country, its key objective is to advise and train the still-fledgling Afghan forces, and to provide limited counterterrorism support, as part of its new training mission called "Resolute Support."

But by and large, this is a non-combat force that is not in Afghanistan to fight a war. It is in the country to help the 350,000 Afghan troops - who now have full responsibility for security - to fight the war against the insurgents. Afghan forces are therefore fully in charge of security in a country plagued by conflict and a resurgent insurgency.

General Atiqullah Amarkhail, a member of the Afghan government's advisory council on military issues, said that Operation Zolfiqar was a good chance for Afghan government and international community to identify areas where more help is needed.

"The number of the Afghan security forces is higher than ever. They have been trained and equipped by the international community for last decade but they need more support," Amarkhail underlined.

So far in 2015, Afghan troops have had very limited NATO air support during their operations against the Taliban and other militant groups active in the conflict-ridden country.

Military officials in Kabul have stressed the need for a stronger Afghan air force and heavy artillery. Without these, experts and officials say, Afghan security forces will suffer heavy casualties in operations against the Taliban.

"Yes, our troop numbers are higher, but you have to keep in mind that Afghanistan's geography has always suited guerrilla fighters. Therefore, we need a strong air force and heavy weaponry now more than ever," general Aman emphasized.

Countering the Taliban

The security forces' operation started just before the Taliban's spring offensive, which is carried out every year against the government. NATO and Afghan officials warn that as a result of this year's Taliban spring offensive, casualties among Afghan forces are likely to rise drastically as the troops no longer have NATO's military support.

These warnings have put pressure on the Afghan-led mission to succeed - and to do so quickly. "Operations like this will undermine the Taliban's spring offensive since they will be weakened and lose control of some districts in Afghanistan's south," Amarkhail said. He added that the insurgents also wanted to seize the opportunity and increase their attacks this year because they know Afghan security forces now lack NATO support on the ground.

The Taliban have a strong presence in southern Afghanistan and across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Experts say with increased military cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad, Operation Zolfiqar will also put pressure on Taliban fighters, who are believed to have crossed the border into Afghanistan after Pakistan launched its own offensive against militants in its restive Wazirsitan region last year.

"Ties between Kabul and Islamabad have relatively improved lately. Operation Zolfiqar will put the Taliban in a worse position because they will be under pressure from both sides," Amarkhail said.

In recent months, Afghan and Pakistani officials have met and discussed regional security on various occasions. The latest visit to Kabul by the Pakistani army chief, General Raheel Sharif, on February 17, was an indication of improved ties between the two countries. At the meeting, he said the "enemies of Afghanistan were the enemies of Pakistan," stressing his country is in the process of sharing "unprecedented" levels of intelligence with the Afghans.