Archive for May, 2006

U.S. defends airstrike on Afghan village

May 24, 2006 at 2:34 pm · Filed under Afghan Politics

The U.S. military on Wednesday defended an airstrike earlier this week on a southern Afghan village that killed at least 16 civilians, saying its troops were being fired on and they had the right to defend themselves.

I don't think that such attitude will help them to win minds and souls of Afghan people. They could've known that fleeing Taliban fighters will search for shelter among local people. When you come under attack, you don't think about the consequences at that time. The only thing you are concerned is to search for a shelter. On the other hand, the American and coalition forces knew what will happen if they attack and bomb Taliban's Madrassa (religious school).

President Hamid Karzi has ordered an investigation into the bombings but I don't think that we'll be able to know the outcome of it since a number of investigations have been conducted in the past and we are still waiting for the results.

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50 Taliban Rebels Killed in Afghanistan

May 22, 2006 at 9:11 am · Filed under Taliban

U.S.-led coalition forces killed about 50 suspected Taliban militants in an airstrike on a rebel stronghold in southern Afghanistan, a spokesman for the force said Monday. Residents claimed dozens of civilians were killed.

I'm not sure if all of those killed were so-called Taliban rebels or innocent civilians. Since the village was bombed during the night, it would've been difficult for American forces to distinguish between innocent civilians and Taliban rebels. Such indiscriminate attacks will have a negative effect and it plays into the hands of Taliban. These bombings will make more enemies than friends for American and their coalition allies.

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Increase in violence during the last days

May 20, 2006 at 6:27 pm · Filed under Afghan Politics

During the last couple of days more than 100 people have died as a result of violence in various provinces in Afghanistan. The Afghan authorities have once again accused Pakistan in playing an active role in backing Taliban to destablise the already delicate situation in Afghanistan. On the other hand, Pakistani officials denied the accusations leveled by Afghanistan. The current offensive by Taliban has shown the vulnerability of situation on the ground. Dramatic increase in suicide bombings has increased fears that situation in Afghanistan will be similiar to that in Iraq in a couple of months.

What is your opinion about the recent attacks in Afghanistan and do you agree that future of Afghanistan looks more gloomly then ever before?

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