Afghan police defect to Taliban, Farah Province

24/07/2012

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Western governments continue to maintain that their Forces will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by 2014. That is only right for those countries such as the UK and the US who are still deploying troops in the country. After countries such as Canada and France announced a withdrawal in 2012 many claim that the mission is now complete.

Just what the mission was may fox most people. Sent in on the heels of 9/11, primarily to seek out Bin Laden, the reasons for the conflict have become muddled. Was part of the mission's aims to help the people of Afghanistan and to remove the grip of the Taliban? If it was then it is doubtful that it has been accomplished, long term.

Even now with some foreign forces remaining on the ground in Afghanistan, the Taliban are reaching out once more.

Yesterday July 23, 2012, there was news that a "British worker and two Americans were shot dead yesterday when an Afghan policeman opened fire at a training centre". In common with other recent attacks the killer was a man dressed in a 
national security force uniform.

Yesterday's murders followed a bloody weekend in Afghanistan. It has been reported that civilians died on Sunday, in bombing which hailed from Pakistan. The bombs were aimed at "insurgent" camps, or so it was believed. Five members of the NATO forces in Afghanistan have died due to roadside bombs in the last two days. Five local men working for the Afghan NATO alliance were taken hostage and subsequently killed.

All in all a bloody few days with more bad news today.

An Afghan police commander, Mirwais, and 13 junior officers are reported to have joined the Taliban in the western Afghan province of Farah, on Sunday, July 22, 2012.. This is the biggest single defection so far. They took with them weapons, radios, police cars and armoured vehicles. 

This defection leaves open to question the statement that "The Taliban are finished"

We have heard of so many attacks by Afghans in security uniforms 2012 that such incidents make it hard to believe the Taliban will not simply take hold once all foreign forces leave. With this in mind you have to wonder if it is worth any of our troops remaining in Afghanistan?

Those who do stay on after armed forces withdraw will be on a training mission. The only conclusion right now is that the training mission will also fail. 

Currently foreign troops put their lives at risk, and for what? Incidents such as the deaths of civilians at the hands of foreign military make for more insurgents and not less. Hatred helps build rebel armies, when all is said and done.

If Western governments have not yet realised, Afghanistan is not a winnable war. The Soviets tried under the premise that the authorities wanted them to enter the country. We have used similar statements. Whilst some inroads have been made there is a long way to go. 

Is whatever the outcome of Afghanistan will be worth the time, money, effort, and loss of life on all sides? We think not.

Tags: Afghanistan, Afghan defectors, civilian deaths, War, World News, NATO Forces
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Bloody Afghanistan weekend cause for concern

30/10/2011

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As the West prepares to leave Afghanistan one has to wonder what has been achieved. The country may appear more settled on the surface but events this weekend simply confirm that is far from the case.

In what has been a bloody, if not the bloodiest, weekend in Afghanistan since Western troops entered the country, it would seem that the war of terror is far from over.
This latest round of killings began on Friday October 28, 2011, in Kabul. Little was recorded in the media of Friday's death but  the ISAF casualty site states, "An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today". Details are usually released once the public is informed and procedures followed.

Saturday October 29, 2011, saw a devastating attack also in Kabul. Media sources have reported that a Taliban suicide car bomber attacked an armored shuttle bus in Kabul. In what has been called the single most devastating attack against Americans since hostilities began at least 12 Americans were killed. One Canadian, a police officer and some civilians were also killed.

This was not the only attack on Saturday. Two International Security Assistance Force service members were also killed in southern Afghanistan according to the ISAF. An individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon on Afghan and coalition forces. He was also killed during this incident. Later reports said the man had been in the Afghan forces for 3 years.

Sadly terrorists come from all age groups and a teenage girl is reported to have carried out a suicide attack on a National Directorate of Security building in the eastern province of Kunar. She killed herself in the attack and wounded several NDS personnel.

Whilst most of wish our troops to be home safe as soon as possible one has to wonder what will happen to Afghanistan once troop withdrawal is complete. If this is the bloodiest weekend since the start of the war the it would seem little has improved.

As the Afghan government looks set to take over from foreign forces the insurgents will want to weaken their stance and undermine the new rulers of the country. Who will win these final battles for Afghanistan is still unclear. The Afghan people must be so sick and tired of living in a battle zone. However, that may be their future. RIP

Update late October 30, 2011: Two Britons are amongst the dead.
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