KABUL (AP) -- U.S. commanders in Afghanistan are reporting a sudden surge in Afghan army recruits this month, a much-needed boost after Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his security forces may not be able to take over from U.S. troops for up to five more years.

The uptick followed an autumn slump in Afghan army recruitment, and U.S. military officials attributed the sudden jump to promised pay hikes rather than President Barack Obama's announcement that U.S. troops will start leaving in 18 months.

"If we continue recruiting like we did, we'll make it," Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, head of the Afghan training mission, told reporters on Wednesday.

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