Despite successful U.S. attacks in N W Afghanistan, Taliban in control
October 24th, 2010 - 6:39 pm ICT by ANI
Maqur (Afghanistan), Oct.24 (ANI): Despite successful U.S. attacks on Taliban leaders in Afghanistan’s northwest, insurgency remains in control.
Though several top commanders have been killed recently, there still remains a large gap between killing commanders and dismantling an insurgency.
According to the Washington Post, nearly half of the province remains under insurgent control.
“Fighting in Afghanistan is like hitting coals with a stick, it just spreads to other places,” the paper quoted Delbar Jan Arman, a provincial governor, as saying.
The barrage launched against the Taliban by Special Operations forces here in recent weeks is part of a broader American effort that is clearly succeeding.
As other U.S. goals in Afghanistan have faltered - reforming the government, winning hearts and minds, NATO commander General David H. Petraeus and his new troops have so far succeeded at killing their enemies.
American officials have held up the example of the onslaught against the Taliban leadership as a clear sign of progress, a development sure to factor into President Obama’s December review of the Afghan campaign.”We’re trying basically to squeeze the life out of the enemy,’ General Petraeus said in an interview Friday.Among those insurgents killed in the past month are al-Qaeda’s No. 3 commander in Afghanistan and 15 shadow governors.
General Petraeus said mid-level commanders - “the senior leaders aren’t in the country, they lead by cell phone” - have expressed frustration at being sacrificed while their bosses live safely across the border.”This is quite relentless pressure. It forces them on the run, but again, if you don’t take away the safe haven, it doesn’t have a lasting effect,” General Petraeus said. (ANI)
- US official feels substantial progress has been made in Afghanistan - Oct 29, 2010
- Stressed mid-level Taliban reluctant to taking orders from Pak-based leaders - Feb 22, 2011
- Best way to end Pakistan's support for terrorist groups is to win Afghan war: McCain - Mar 16, 2011
- Kandahar deputy governor killed in suicide bombing - Jan 30, 2011
- Taliban refute Petraeus' claims, say "no negotiations with foreign invaders, Afghan puppet govt" - Sep 29, 2010
- Petraeus holds out prospect of US reconciliation with Taliban - Aug 16, 2010
- NATO forces close to victory in Afghanistan: Gen. Petraeus - Mar 05, 2010
- US, NATO forces able to halt Taliban gains around Kabul: Petraeus - Mar 09, 2011
- Taliban has reached out to Afghan Government for reconciliation: Gen Petraeus - Sep 28, 2010
- Reluctant Pak, resilient Taliban scuppering US-led NATO military campaign in Afghanistan - Oct 27, 2010
- Win against Taliban, Qaeda possible if Karzai does right by Afghans: US editorial - Jul 03, 2010
- Taliban power growing in northern Afghanistan - Oct 19, 2010
- Petraeus being considered for CIA top job: Report - Apr 05, 2011
- No major changes expected in Afghan strategy: Obama administration - Sep 18, 2010
- Al Qaeda weaker but still committed: US intelligence chiefs - Sep 14, 2011
Tags: afghan campaign, afghanistan taliban, american effort, american officials, arman, barrage, coals, commander general, enemy general, general petraeus, governors general, hearts and minds, nato commander, obama, provincial governor, relentless pressure, safe haven, special operations forces, taliban leadership, washington post