Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Hissyspit

(45,788 posts)
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 08:21 AM Jun 2014

Taliban Mount Major Assault in Afghanistan

Source: New York Times

Taliban Mount Major Assault in Afghanistan

By AZAM AHMED and TAIMOOR SHAHJUNE 27, 2014

KABUL, Afghanistan — In one of the most significant coordinated assaults on the government in years, the Taliban have attacked police outposts and government facilities across several districts in northern Helmand Province, sending police and military officials scrambling to shore up defenses and heralding a troubling new chapter as coalition forces prepare to depart.

The attacks have focused on the district of Sangin, historically an insurgent stronghold and one of the deadliest districts in the country for the American and British forces who fought for years to secure it. The Taliban have mounted simultaneous attempts to conquer territory in the neighboring districts of Now Zad, Musa Qala and Kajaki. In the past week, more than 100 members of the Afghan forces and 50 civilians have been killed or wounded in fierce fighting, according to early estimates from local officials.

With a deepening political crisis in Kabul already casting the presidential election and long-term political stability into doubt, the Taliban offensive presents a new worst-case situation for Western officials: an aggressive insurgent push that is seizing territory even before American troops have completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan.

- snip -

Already, areas once heavily patrolled by American forces have grown more violent as the Afghan military and the police struggle to feed, fuel and equip themselves. The lackluster performance of the Afghan Army so far in Helmand has also evoked comparisons with Iraq, raising questions about whether the American-trained force can stand in the way of a Taliban resurgence.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/28/world/asia/taliban-mount-major-assault-in-afghanistan.html?emc=edit_th_20140628&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=68388605&_r=0

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Taliban Mount Major Assault in Afghanistan (Original Post) Hissyspit Jun 2014 OP
Who didnt see this coming? 7962 Jun 2014 #1
One could probably see it on a pitch dark rainy night with snow flurries. TxVietVet Jun 2014 #3
Read this book and see who the enemy is. Who is behind the Taliban and why? TxVietVet Jun 2014 #2
I guess Cheney couldnt find a reason to invade Pakistan 7962 Jun 2014 #5
from the feminists Afghan women's perspective annm4peace Jun 2014 #4
 

7962

(11,841 posts)
5. I guess Cheney couldnt find a reason to invade Pakistan
Sun Jun 29, 2014, 07:51 AM
Jun 2014

But we have India as their natural enemy. If hes was still in office, he'd probably find a reason to invade India, which would empower Pakistan even more. Iraq/Iran all over again!

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Taliban Mount Major Assau...