Coordinated Attacks in Kabul and Across Eastern Afghanistan
On the heels of a G8 leaders conference, just a few days ago, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for at least five coordinated attacks in Kabul. According to the Taliban the attack targeted NATO headquarters, the British and German Embassies, the Afghan
parliament building, the Serena and Kabul Star hotels, and sites along
Darulaman road, where the Russian Embassy is located. Insurgents also targeted Afghan and NATO installations in the capital cities of Nangarhar, Logar and Paktia provinces.
"In all these attacks, tens of mujahedeen fighters equipped with
light and heavy weapons, suicide vests, RPGs, rockets, heavy
machine-guns and hand grenades are attacking their targets," Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman,
said in the email.
"Our initial reports indicate that a large number of foreign forces, Afghan police and army are killed and wounded."
The White House and NATO, including General John Allen, ISAF Commander, continue on the message that progress is being made. While the training numbers of Afghan forces may be met, the question still remains on how reliable these troops will be.
Since the Qoran burnings and the massacre of 17 civilians by a US serviceman, the Taliban have cranked up their attacks. There have been the so called "Green on Blue" attacks, where members of the Taliban have infiltrated Afghan Security Forces and killed NATO soldier, including two in the Interior Ministry.
Attempts to negotiate with the Taliban have not yielded any results. How likely is it that the Afghan government will be able to secure the country? It seems like a high order, since the Taliban want nothing less than rule Afghanistan. Will the country revert to Taliban rule after NATO leaves? This is difficult to answer, however in a tribal society, loyalty to Hamid Karzai has to be pretty thin.
Afghanistan doesn't have the title of "Graveyard of Empires" without reason.
Hey Cowpoke,
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason to stay the course and ensure sufficient international whole of government assistance is provided to Afghanistan. Our strategic exit strategy must be based on achieving success and not related to a specific date.
I agree, after ten years of sacrifice by NATO troops, there has to be a tangible result. Too many have died, both military and civilian to let it revert back to how it was. The question is what is the best approach? As you are aware there is a thin line when it comes to good governance.
ReplyDeleteI have been of the opinion that governance should have been build from the bottom up, rather than imposing a President. Hindsight is 20/20 though.