KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The United States is ready to send troops to help government forces calm fighting in western Afghanistan, a U.S. military spokesman has said.
"If diplomacy does fail, we would take appropriate action," U.S. military spokesman Scott Nelson told journalists Monday, the Xinhua news agency reported.
His comment came after the Afghan government decided to deploy two battalions, or 1,500 troops, of the newly U.S.-trained Afghan National Army to the western province of Herat, where supporters and opponents of governor Ismael Khan have been engaged in heated battles since last weekend.
"We are concerned about it. The coalition does have plans to support the national government," Nelson added.
The coalition and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force Monday transported 440 Afghan soldiers and 29 U.S. advisors to Shindand Airport, where the clashes began, to help the government restore control of the region.
More than 20,000 U.S.-led coalition troops, in coordination with 7,000 NATO-led forces, have been tasked to maintain peace and security in Afghanistan ahead of the October national election.
