British soldiers are confident of the abilities of the Afghan security forces to protect the people of Afghanistan, according to the British Commander of Task Force Helmand.
"I am absolutely confident that they will be able to protect the people and I am absolutely clear that tactically there is nothing that insurgency can do to throw the Afghan security forces," Brig. Bob Bruce told TOLOnews in Helmand province.
"British soldiers and Marines intend to step back and we support from a distance and let the Afghan leaders lead but I wouldn't describe any areas in Helmand as unsecured. The people in central Helmand enjoy the protection of their own security forces," he added.
Bruce is involved in training the Afghan security forces to shoot 82mm mortars in southern Helmand province which is expected to strengthen the capabilities of the Afghan security forces to better secure the region after the withdrawal of the foreign forces.
"The shooting training of 82mm mortar weaponry has started. This will allow the soldiers to target up to three kilometers ahead of themselves," commander of 3rd brigade of the Maiwand Army Corps, Shirin Shah Kohbandi told TOLOnews.
The Afghan security forces will take all security responsibility by the end of 2014 despite there being some challenges ahead of the transition process.
Isaf spokesman Brig. Gen. Gunter Katz said on Monday that challenges exist ahead of the transition process but the Isaf and Afghan forces are working together to get overcome them.
Britain is the second largest contributing nation to the Nato-led forces in Afghanistan with more than 9,000 soldiers in the country, most of them stationed in volatile southern Helmand province.