German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen visited German troops in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif on December 6, a trip that comes after Berlin's recent decision to enlarge its military deployment in the war-torn country.
"The basic message must be: We're staying," the minister told reporters before her flight landed in Mazar-e Sharif, where 1,500 troops from 21 NATO countries are stationed, most of them German.
Germany is to increase its personnel in Afghanistan from 850 to 980 and extend its training missions for Afghan soldiers through 2016.
Last week, NATO announced that its troop levels in Afghanistan will remain largely unchanged through next year, despite earlier plans to reduce it.
Washington said in October the United States will extend its military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2016. Originally, all but a small embassy-based force were due to leave by the end of 2016.
Insurgency has increased across Afghanistan since NATO ended its combat mission there in December 2014.
The German military had up to 5,350 soldiers in Afghanistan as part of the 13-year combat mission.
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Tanker Seized By US Off Venezuela Was Part Of Iranian Shadow Fleet
2Romanian Village Evacuated After Russian Drone Strikes LPG Ship In Danube
3Brussels Adds New Names To Blacklist In Latest Russia Sanctions Package
44 Russian Soldiers Sentenced For Killing Of American Fighting For Moscow In Ukraine
5Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Hungarian Service Ceases Operations
6Polish PM Tusk Says Railway Explosion 'Act Of Sabotage'
7Tehran Pollution Hits 'Alarming' Level In Latest Environmental Crisis
8Three Chinese Nationals Killed In Afghan-Tajik Border Attack On Gold Mining Camp
9NATO Chief Rutte Tells RFE: 'Thoughtful Dialogue' Needed On Ukraine
10Romanian Mayor Says His Village Now 'Part Of The War' Amid Russian Drone Incursions
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.