NATO general fears Afghan ground loss

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- The commander of NATO said he expects Taliban forces to regroup over the winter in Afghanistan and retake areas previously secured by the British.

U.S. Army Gen. Dan McNeill said important military gains made by British troops in the country may soon be lost if Taliban forces regroup and recapture the territory from Afghan security forces over the winter, the BBC reported Friday.

"I think there is some chance of that because the Afghan national security forces have not been as successful in holding as we would like them to be," McNeill said.

"We are likely to have to do some of this work again.

"It would nice if the Afghan national security force could hold it, then there's less of a chance we'll have to do it again."

McNeill said he is pleased with ilitary progress in the region and with reconstruction projects but he said NATO's mission to improve the country's government will require a great deal more work.