Efforts are underway to form a new military force comprised of 100,000 members, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Saturday. They emphasized that Islamic Emirate forces would be prioritized.

“When they are enrolled, they will be sent to duties in squadrons. The process is about 80 percent complete,” said Inayatullah Khwarazami, the Defense Ministry’s Spokesman.  

With the fall of the former government, the 350,000 Afghan National Defense and Security Forces also disbanded.

Military veterans suggested that the new military force should include former security force members.

“The military should be standardized. The force should adhere to military discipline. They should have a proper uniform and appearance,” said Samar Saadat, a former military official.  

“The National Security Forces should include all ethnic groups of the country. The former military members who are professional in their performance should be involved in the new military unit,” said Aziz Mujadidi, a university instructor.  

Of the 350,000 former Afghan security forces, 150,000 of them were under the Defense Ministry.

The Islamic Emirate said that some former security officials have maintained their positions and are active. 

A delegation of 20 members has been appointed to follow up on the process, the Defense Ministry said.  

“The committee is tasked with forming a disciplined (military) in the Defense Ministry, based on needs,” Khwarazami said.  

The current Afghan government has repeatedly called on the former security forces, who fled the country due to security threats, to come back and work for a developed Afghanistan.