WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Just days after the United States said it would increase troop numbers in Afghanistan and ask its allies to do the same, New Zealand on Friday announced an extra three non-combat military personnel, boosting its military commitment to 13.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled his strategy to end the conflict in Afghanistan, committing the United States to an open-ended conflict and signaling he would dispatch more troops to America’s longest war.

U.S. officials have said Trump had signed off on plans to send about 4,000 more U.S. troops to add to the roughly 8,400 now deployed in Afghanistan. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has since said exact troop numbers are yet to be decided.

Trump said he would ask coalition allies to support his new strategy, with additional troops and funding, to end the 16-year conflict.

New Zealand Defence Minister Mark Mitchell’s announcement boosting the country’s Kabul-based troops to 13 follows a request for NATO (National Atlantic Treaty Organization) to send more troops to Afghanistan earlier this year.

New Zealand has had troops in Afghanistan since 2001. Its presence has been decreasing since 2013 but it has kept some personnel on the ground to train local officers.

“New Zealand will continue to stand alongside our partners in supporting stability in Afghanistan and countering the threat of international terrorism,” said Mitchell.

Prime Minister Bill English said the government has ruled out making a decision on sending combat troops to Afghanistan before New Zealand’s election on Sept. 23.

Opposition leader Jacinda Ardern told local media this week she would not back sending troops to Afghanistan at the moment but was not privy to intelligence such decisions were based on.</s>Just days after the United States said it would increase troop numbers in Afghanistan and ask its allies to do the same, New Zealand on Friday announced an extra three non-combat military personnel, boosting its military commitment to 13.

US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled his strategy to end the conflict in Afghanistan, committing the United States to an open-ended conflict and signalling he would dispatch more troops to America's longest war.

US officials have said Trump had signed off on plans to send about 4,000 more US troops to add to the roughly 8,400 now deployed in Afghanistan. US. Defence Secretary James Mattis has since said exact troop numbers are yet to be decided.

Trump said he would ask coalition allies to support his new strategy, with additional troops and funding, to end the 16-year conflict.

New Zealand Defence Minister Mark Mitchell's announcement boosting the country's Kabul-based troops to 13 follows a request for NATO (National Atlantic Treaty Organization) to send more troops to Afghanistan earlier this year.

New Zealand has had troops in Afghanistan since 2001. Its presence has been decreasing since 2013 but it has kept some personnel on the ground to train local officers.

"New Zealand will continue to stand alongside our partners in supporting stability in Afghanistan and countering the threat of international terrorism," said Mitchell.</s>New Zealand increases troops in Afghanistan from 10 to 13

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand announced Friday it will increase its tiny military force in Afghanistan from 10 people to 13 following a request from NATO.

The New Zealand troops are assigned to noncombat roles, working as mentors and support personnel at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in Kabul.

New Zealand has stationed troops in Afghanistan since 2001, mostly in reconstruction roles.

President Donald Trump this week outlined his strategy on Afghanistan, including getting tough on neighboring Pakistan. He alluded to sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan but didn't say how many.

New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English, asked by reporters if he was worried about following the strategy of an unpopular U.S. president, said his nation was involved in Afghanistan "long before President Trump turned up.

"It's all about New Zealand playing its part in a global effort to smother the sources of terrorism," English said.

New Zealand has committed to keeping a military presence in Afghanistan until at least next June.
New Zealand announces the stationing of three more non-combat military personnel in Afghanistan, boosting its military commitment to 13.