It has been a bloody end to the week in Afghanistan. Yesterday, August 10, 2012, two British soldiers were killed in separate incidents. There were also reports that three American soldiers had been killed. The US soldiers were however killed by an Afghan policeman. He had invited them for a meal before blasting them when he opened fire.
The ever increasing amount of deaths at the hands of supposed "allies" is obviously a great cause for concern.
Hardly had the news settled than a fresh report of three more US deaths had occurred. These three members of the US contingent of the ISAFwere killed at a NATO base, by an Afghan civilian employed to work there.
Reports of the latest killings are still coming in. Details are sketchy but as ISAF spokesperson said, "The shooter was not in uniform and our current reporting indicates he was a civilian employee authorised to be on the base, but there is no indication he was an Afghan service member.
Killings which the authorities call "green on blue" are the hardest to prevent. Strictly speaking such attacks involve an Afghan wearing a uniform. They often come from unexpected sources working closely alongside foreign military personnel. Whilst the latest three deaths do not officially fall into the category of green on blue there is no denying that it could destroy confidence and damage relations.
Opinion: Damaging relations in Afghanistan will be paramount for the insurgents. It will help cause bad feeling between local people and the foreign miiltary personnel still in the country. There have been incidents by foreign troops also which will add to the rot. Is Afghanistan winnable? We all know the answer is no.
Having entered Afghanistan, and wreaked havoc though the West does have some responsibility. That said it must be long past the time to leave the country. Eleven years living in a war torn country will mean that there are young men and women who have never known Afghanistan not be occupied. That can create a new generation of terrorists with an axe to grind and hatred in their hearts.
RIP to the eight soldiers who were killed yesterday. RIP to the many others who will follow unless we make tough decisions. Afghanistan is now another North Vietnam.
The ever increasing amount of deaths at the hands of supposed "allies" is obviously a great cause for concern.
Hardly had the news settled than a fresh report of three more US deaths had occurred. These three members of the US contingent of the ISAFwere killed at a NATO base, by an Afghan civilian employed to work there.
Reports of the latest killings are still coming in. Details are sketchy but as ISAF spokesperson said, "The shooter was not in uniform and our current reporting indicates he was a civilian employee authorised to be on the base, but there is no indication he was an Afghan service member.
Killings which the authorities call "green on blue" are the hardest to prevent. Strictly speaking such attacks involve an Afghan wearing a uniform. They often come from unexpected sources working closely alongside foreign military personnel. Whilst the latest three deaths do not officially fall into the category of green on blue there is no denying that it could destroy confidence and damage relations.
Opinion: Damaging relations in Afghanistan will be paramount for the insurgents. It will help cause bad feeling between local people and the foreign miiltary personnel still in the country. There have been incidents by foreign troops also which will add to the rot. Is Afghanistan winnable? We all know the answer is no.
Having entered Afghanistan, and wreaked havoc though the West does have some responsibility. That said it must be long past the time to leave the country. Eleven years living in a war torn country will mean that there are young men and women who have never known Afghanistan not be occupied. That can create a new generation of terrorists with an axe to grind and hatred in their hearts.
RIP to the eight soldiers who were killed yesterday. RIP to the many others who will follow unless we make tough decisions. Afghanistan is now another North Vietnam.
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