The Defense Ministry’s plan to dissolve the Afghan Army’s 217 Pamir Corps and merge it with the 209 Shaheen Army Corps has been faced with widespread reaction from lawmakers and analysts who say it will have severe consequences on the security situation in some northern and northeastern provinces, especially the Kunduz province. 

Lawmakers said militants will once again takeover the strategic province of Kunduz if the plan is implemented. 

The 217 Pamir Army Corps was established in 2019. 

 “These measures should be taken in line with the security situation and the security threats now and in the future, but in Afghanistan, these measures are not taken into account,” said Assadullah Nadim, a military analyst. 

“How long should we remain in this state of fear? We have only one corps here in the province. If it is dissolved, where should we live?” asked Zakia Zaman, a resident in Kunduz, referring to their concern about security situation in the northeastern province.  

An army military corps in Afghanistan is composed of six divisions and 24,000 soldiers in its structure. 

“I think this is not a good decision. The decision has sparked strong fear among the people in the north and in the northeast. This corps should be furthered equipped to tackle threats,” said Rabbani Rabbani, member of provincial council in Kunduz. 

 “It is better to handover Kunduz to the Taliban instead of implementing this decision,” said Yousuf, a Kunduz resident. 

“Merging the Pamir Corps with Shaheen Corps is an act of oppression against the people in the north. If this happens, there is possibility that Kunduz will fall (to militants) again,” Nilofar Jalali, an MP. 

“This has implications, and it indicates the weakness of the government. We can do better defense as much as a military structure is bigger,” said MP Raees Abdul Khaliq. 

But the Ministry of Defense said the decision is aimed at bringing reforms to the security sector, assuring it will not impact security in Kunduz. 

“There will be no change in that area from military perspective. Our focus is on the main base of the Defense Ministry and the rest of the areas where there are organizational density and the possible deployment of additional personnel. We want to get this issue solved so that we can concentrate on the frontline,” the Afghan Chief of Army Staff Gen. Mohammad Yasin Zia said.