Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 20, 2017

Afghan Special Forces arrive at the airport as they launch a counteroffensive to retake the city from Taliban insurgents, in Kunduz, Sept. 29, 2015.

VOA: Afghanistan’s Special Operations Forces Transition from Division to Corps

Afghanistan’s elite Special Operations Forces officially transitioned from a division to a corps, as part of a four-year security plan aimed at vastly improving the country's security forces.

“Today, it is a special day because the success you all have achieved for this nation is exemplified here,” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said at the ceremony in Kabul on Sunday. “This year you defeated the enemy on the battlefield. I can see the results of your fight from last week and I see the huge improvement from last year.”

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Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 20, 2017

Top US commander in Afghanistan tells troops 'we are with you' with Trump set to address nation -- The Independent
'Guardian angel' need for advisers in Afghanistan drives call for more troops -- Reuters
Joint Taliban, Islamic State raid killed disarmed Afghan fighters, civilians: U.N. -- Reuters
UN Probe Concludes Taliban, Islamic State Jointly Killed 36 Afghans -- VOA
IS Atrocities Spike in North, East Afghanistan -- VOA
Afghan Air Force to get organic intelligence reconnaissance capability for the first time -- Khaama Press
How Afghanistan is ramping up its fight against corruption — especially among the country’s elite -- Washington Post
ISIL in Afghanistan: A growing threat -- Al Jazeera
Taliban calls on US to withdraw forces as Afghanistan celebrates 98th Independence Day -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan Marks 98 Years Of Independence From Britain -- RFE
Erik Prince's Plan to Privatize the War in Afghanistan -- The Atlantic
5 Rules for Sending Contractors to War in Afghanistan -- James Carafano, Daily Signal
In Afghanistan, a Destructive 'Game of Thrones' -- New York Times
A Reporter’s Anguished Farewell to Afghanistan -- WSJ
The U.S. cannot abandon Afghanistan now -- Washington Post editorial