US troop deployments to Afghanistan have been delayed by hurricane-relief efforts

U.S. military assistance for hurricane relief efforts has delayed the deployment of additional forces to Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

"Forces are flowing to Afghanistan, they have been slightly delayed by ongoing hurricane relief efforts," Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, joint staff director, told reporters.

U.S. officials have told Reuters that the United States will send about 3,500 additional troops to Afghanistan.

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