Berlin, Jan 30, IRNA — The United States is secretly training Afghan security forces in the south German state of Bavaria, the Hamburg-based weekly Der Spiegel said in a report on Saturday.
The American training mission of Afghan troops was uncovered after two Afghan officers were questioned by police in the south Danish town of Rodby for not having a valid visa after crossing in from Germany via a ferry boat.
The Afghan oficers told Danish police that they attended a three-week training course at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center of the US Armed Forces, based in the south German town of Hohenfels.
Meanwhile, US Major Nicholas Sternberg onfirmed that 16 Afghan soldiers had taken part last year at the military training sessions in Hohenfels which is the second largest training exercise ground for American troops in Europe.
The base in Hohenfels is also being used to train NATO soldiers for their operations
in Afghanistan, said Der Spiegel.
According to Sternberg, the training of Afghan security forces was directed at getting familiar with NATO troops during joint combat missions.
The 160-square kilometer troop exercise area at Hohenfels includes also simulated Afghan village to prepare US and NATO troops for what they will expect to face in the war-stricken country.
The German Foreign Ministry had reportedly issued also 290 visas for Afghan soldiers
without asking for the purpose of their stay in Germany.