US defence secretary Jim Mattis has said the United States will send over 3,000 troops to Afghanistan and that most are either on their way or have been notified of their deployment.
It comes after US president Donald Trump unveiled his strategy for Washington's 16-year war in Afghanistan last month, saying he would be authorising an increase in troops.
Mr Trump did not then give any specifics as to the number of US troops he would be adding to the 8,400 already deployed in Afghanistan, but on Monday Mr Mattis confirmed it would be over 3,000.
"It is exactly over 3,000 somewhat and frankly I haven't signed the last of the orders right now as we look at specific, small elements that are going," he said.
Reuters previously reported the US would send about 3,500 additional troops to Afghanistan.
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Comment: Is Moscow successfully avoiding Washington's pitfalls in Afghanistan?
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