Senior Pentagon officials have been barred from visiting Afghanistan until the end of the fiscal year, a news report says.
Newsweek reported on Monday that legislators had also been asked to comply with the policy within their official duties.
A two-page internal document obtained by the leading American weekly, says Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has ordered the restriction.
Meanwhile, Democrats tend to be increasingly disappointed by the Trump administration’s obstruction of their oversight responsibilities.
The curbs on travel to Afghanistan have become tighter under the Trump administration, amounting to a hindrance to congressional oversight, they argue.
However, Shanahan’s letter barring travel to Afghanistan will have no impact on routine deployment rotations of American units to and from Afghanistan.
“But the memo does ask congressional delegations to honor the travel restriction imposed on senior Defense Department leaders,” the magazine added.
In Afghanistan, US military spokesman Colonel Dave Butler confirmed to Newsweek: “Resolute Support and US Forces Afghanistan request a reduction in visitors nearly every year.”
Calling the request to reduce visitors a standard protocol during this time of year, he said military resources would be fully employed toward setting conditions for a political settlement.
