"Coalition forces facing 'scattered resistance' in Afghanistan"

Clio the Leo

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Mon Feb-15-10 09:25 AM
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"Coalition forces facing 'scattered resistance' in Afghanistan"

Coalition forces facing 'scattered resistance' in Afghanistan
February 15, 2010 -- Updated 1234 GMT

Marjah, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Resistance is waning in a major NATO offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the nation's officials said Monday, a day after 12 civilians died in a rocket attack by coalition troops.

"Coalition forces are clearing mines and roadside bombings, and facing only scattered resistance" from the Taliban, said Zahir Azimi, the Afghan defense spokesman.

The troops met almost no resistance on Monday, unlike Sunday, said Hanif Atmar, the Afghan minister of interior affairs.

"Progress is being made on all fronts," he said.

However, CNN's Atia Abawi, who is embedded with Marines in Marjah, said the coalition forces were still battling militants, facing sporadic gunfire.

About 15,000 Afghan and NATO forces are taking part in Operation Moshtarak, the biggest offensive since the Afghan war started in 2001. The assault aims to wrest control of the town of Marjah and surrounding areas from the Taliban.

More
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/15/afghanistan.offensive/index.html?eref=edition&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

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NJmaverick

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Mon Feb-15-10 10:37 AM
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1. Taking back this province is a big blow to the Taliban

the poppy harvests were a major source of funding and this was a secure area for them to operate from.

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Bragi

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Mon Feb-15-10 03:18 PM
Response to Reply #1

6. Not really, no /nt

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NJmaverick

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Mon Feb-15-10 03:30 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. saying that doesn't make it true

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Bragi

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Mon Feb-15-10 03:41 PM
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9. U.S leaving would be a big blow to the Taliban

Until that happens, the Taliban will remain strong.

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DCBob

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Mon Feb-15-10 10:45 AM
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2. This is good news but the civilian casualties were a major blunder...

If they lose the trust of the people the entire mission could fail.

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vaberella

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Mon Feb-15-10 03:36 PM
Response to Reply #2

8. Unfortunately...casaulties are always the tragedy and always the case in any situation of "war". n/t

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Bragi

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Mon Feb-15-10 12:44 PM
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3. This reminds me of the big Pak army surge into Waziristan

Last summer and fall, in response to US pressure, the Pak army mounted a major mission into Waziristan.

As I recall, heads-up notice was given, and millions of people fled the area where the big battle was to take place.

Except the big battle never happened because the Taliban left with the rest of the population.

Why is it that the US continues to think the Taliban are stupid enough to sit in place and wait for NATO equipped troops to come in with their hi-tech shit and vaporize them?

These alleged big battles seem to be more PR shell-game exercises than anything else. They create a few good headlines for the military, along with civilian casualties and massive disruptions of the population.

Hey Obama, please declare victory and end this war. No good will come from it, and it will certainly sink your Presidency.

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Schema Thing

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Mon Feb-15-10 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. big battles happened in Waziristan

the fighting was fierce.

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Bragi

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Mon Feb-15-10 03:18 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. The attacks have not significantly weakened the Taliban

The Pak army sent in 30K troops and left with little to show for it:

"To be sure, none of this means that Pakistan's attack on the militants in Buner and Swat has failed outright. This was the biggest and most successful offensive ever: it drove militants deep into the hills and killed scores, perhaps hundreds, of them. But that hardly means Pakistan has crippled their highly motivated leadership or frightened them into permanent hiding. Even if the Army keeps its pledge to stick around for a while, it runs the risk of appearing as an occupying force in this region unused to centralized control. It is also unclear if the government could deliver better governance, and access to justice, relief, rehabilitation, and economic opportunity�the main agents in turning popular support away from the militants."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/207032/page/2

The Pak army left the region in November.

- B

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