The minister's statements come as the United States is discussing sending more troops to China to fight al-Qaida, which insurgents are believed mostly in neighboring Pakistan, and continuing review of the controversial presidential election results Afghanistan.
The enemy has changed. Their numbers increased, said Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak to lawmakers in a statement. Wardak said that about 4,000 fighters, most Cechenia, North Africa and Pakistan, have joined with them and are related to fighting in Afghanistan. The minister added that Afghan forces have called for more international help to deal with the threat of aliens.
Wardak did not specify the period in which these insurgents came into the country. While several U.S. military officials said they could not comment on the recent influx of foreigners.
Senior U.S. commanders have asked the president Barack Obama to authorize the sending of 10,000 to additional 40,000 troops to support the 68,000 already in Afghanistan fighting the insurgents. The request comes at a difficult time, because popular support for the war is declining in America.
Afghan minister's statements echo the fears of a U.S. government sector, who believes that not sending enough troops to Afghanistan would make things easier for al-Qaida.
What is said by Wardak also reveals the fears of the Afghan government about the degree of commitment that the United States country amid rumors of a possible change in strategy following a marked increase in violence in recent months.
The debate on changing U.S. strategy is complicated by the election results Afghan president, who until now have not been defined by allegations of fraud and have created serious doubts whether there will be a leadership with enough credibility to strengthen military gains in the U.S. and its allies.
The results of almost 13% of the cells in the country are in doubt, be sufficient to call a runoff election between President Hamid Karzai and his main challenger.
On Saturday, a panel of UN-backed investigation reviewed the results of an audit and the counting of votes, with uncertain results. Election officials have said they expect to announce results at the end of next week.
Meanwhile, bomb attacks killed two Polish soldiers and one American.
The U.S. military died Saturday from wounds suffered in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, officials of the United States.
Polish soldiers were killed Friday when his vehicle hit a bomb hidden beside a road in the eastern province of Wardak, said Polish Defense Ministry. Four troops wounded in the blast.
Also on Saturday, government spokesman in the province of Wardak, Shahid Shahidul said Afghan and international forces killed nine Taliban in a shootout occurred the previous day.
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