WASHINGTON: Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Monday he backs the top US commander in Afghanistan -- after President Donald Trump reportedly suggested firing him.
NBC News this month said Trump had told Mattis and General Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, they should replace General John Nicholson, who heads up US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Nicholson "is our commander in the field. He has the confidence of NATO, he has the confidence of Afghanistan, he has the confidence of the United States," Mattis told Pentagon reporters.
Trump "is looking at all aspects of our effort over there, as he must in his responsibilities as the commander-in-chief," Mattis added.
When asked if he personally backed Nicholson staying in the job, Mattis said: "Of course."
Trump has yet to announce a strategy for Afghanistan, but Mattis said one is "very, very close."
Possible plans include sending thousands more troops into the nearly 16-year conflict, or taking the opposite tack and pulling out, leaving private military contractors to help the Afghans oversee the fragile security situation.