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Afghan soldiers take part in a graduation ceremony at Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Sept. 16, 2019. A total of 1,154 newly graduated Afghan soldiers joined the country's national army on Monday, an army source said. (Xinhua/Rahmatullah Alizadah)

KABUL, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,154 newly graduated Afghan soldiers joined the country's national army on Monday, an army source said.

"The fresh graduates received their certificate during a ceremony at Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) Monday morning," Capt. Barat Ali Rizae from KMTC told Xinhua.

The newly graduates have received a 12-month training at the KMTC in eastern Kabul, he said, adding that they would be deployed to the countryside.

The latest graduation came as the country is preparing to hold presidential election scheduled for Sept. 28. The poll will be the fourth presidential election in Afghanistan since 2001, when the United States invaded the country following the Sept. 11 attacks, ousting the Taliban regime.

The Taliban insurgent group fighting the government has vowed to disrupt the election process.