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KABUL, Afghanistan -- District-level Afghan government officials are the new target of insurgents, who are desperate after winter clearing operations by Afghan and coalition forces have left the insurgency low on recruits, weapons and supplies.
“The insurgents are no longer prepared, able or willing to actively confront ISAF and Afghan Security Forces,” said German Army Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz, spokesman, International Security Assistance Force, during an operational update at ISAF Headquarters, April 18.
Kandahar Province Chief of Police Khan Mohammad Khan was murdered by insurgents, April 15, in the latest waves of attacks focused on government, civilian and tribal leaders.
“This attack was the act of cowardly insurgents desperate to prevent the empowerment of the Afghan Security Forces and the Afghan people,” said U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander, ISAF/U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, in a press release condemning the attack.
Insurgents are becoming increasingly desperate as cooperation between Afghan and Pakistan increases.
“It is clear that Afghanistan and Pakistan are fighting a shared enemy – terrorism,” said Dominique Medley, Senior Civilian Representative spokesman, NATO.
Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani painted a similar picture, labeling terrorism a common enemy and calling on increased cooperation between the two governments.
As an example of the cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Blotz spoke of Operation Strong Eagle III that recently cleared insurgent-held areas in Kunar Province, a province bordering Pakistan.
“We have a good coordination of military activities on both sides of the border,” said Blotz. “More than 100 insurgents were engaged during the offensive with 80 enemies killed.”
Blotz compared the operation to a hammer and anvil, with Afghan forces being the anvil and Pakistani forces being the hammer; the goal of both parties is to pummel insurgent forces.
But even as Blotz and Medley answered questions from reporters, insurgents continued to show their desperation as suicide bombers targeted the Afghan Ministry of Defense.
Medley reiterated that as the Afghan government takes on an increasing responsibility for the security of the country, they would not be standing alone.
NATO is committed to supporting the Afghanistan government through the transition of security responsibility in 2014 and beyond through an enduring partnership, said Medley.
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.18.2011 11:27 |
| Story ID: | 68918 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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