KABUL, May 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 543 Afghan youths joined the National Army after receiving military training in the training center of east Afghanistan's Wardak province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency said on Friday.
According to the report, 543 individuals received military training in different fields, including topography and artillery. After obtaining certificates, they were commissioned into the National Army on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the state-owned media outlet added that 165 Afghan youth joined the war-ravaged country's National Army on Wednesday after receiving six months' training.
After taking power in August 2021, the Afghan interim government initially planned to form an army with 150,000 strength but later announced to expand to 170,000 and gradually to a 200,000-strong National Army based on the situation. ■