According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGFA), about 40 more Portuguese military personnel will travel to that country on 4 August, making a total of close to 170 soldiers.

At the same time, the 175 soldiers that Portugal already had in that field will return between 21 July and 5 August.

The new contingent is divided into three teams: 118 Army soldiers for the Rapid Reaction Force and National Support Detachment, with the mission of monitoring and protecting the international airport “Hamid Karzai” in Kabul; a team of eight Special Operations soldiers (two from the Navy and six from the Army); two other Army soldiers serving in Headquarters.

The Atlantic Alliance mission in Afghanistan is commanded by US general Austin Scott Miller, who has more than 17,000 military personnel from 39 countries at his command, including civilians.

“Resolute Support” started in 2015 to combat terrorism and to train, advise and support local military and security forces and to strengthen Afghanistan's institutions.

This mission succeeded ISAF (International Security Support Force), in which Portugal participated with around 3,200 soldiers in 12 years.

NATO has been present in Afghanistan with a United Nations mandate since 2003, at the request of the United States, following the dramatic terrorist attack on New York's twin towers, among other places, on 11 September 2001.