Germany deploys tanks in largest Afghan offensive to date
July 22nd, 2009 - 4:45 pm ICT by IANS
Berlin, July 22 (DPA) The German Bundeswehr (military) was Wednesday deploying heavy weapons, including tanks, as part of its battle against the Taliban in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz, a defence ministry spokesman said.
It is believed to be the first time that the Bundeswehr, which has much stricter rules of engagement than other NATO-led forces in the country, has deployed mortar grenades and armoured vehicles.
The spokesman said that the Bundeswehr was engaged in an offensive in cooperation with the Afghan security forces and other International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.
The Rheinische Post, a daily newspaper, reported Wednesday that around 300 soldiers of the Bundeswehr’s Quick Reaction Force were taking part in the offensive.
The aim of the offensive is thought to be to clear the region of Taliban before Afghanistan’s presidential election, due to be held at the end of August. The defence ministry spokesman would not confirm the parameters of the operation.
The paper quoted a soldier as saying that “we are going to use everything that we’ve got”.
The rising level of Germany’s military activities in Afghanistan - which are not formally described as a “war” - is causing discomfort at home.
On Wednesday, the defence spokesman for the opposition Greens warned of a “cycle of violence.” Winfried Nachtwei said that “one has to be careful that this doesn’t become an escalation without end”.
Recent opinion polls in Germany have suggested that a slight majority of the population is in favour of ending the military’s deployment there.
- German pistols being sold on Afghan, Pakistan black markets - Oct 11, 2009
- Italian soldier killed in Afghanistan - Mar 25, 2012
- 13 US soldiers die in Kabul bombing - Oct 29, 2011
- French soldier accidentally shot dead in Afghanistan - Jul 11, 2011
- Taliban kidnap British soldier in Afghanistan - Jul 04, 2011
- 16 foreign troops killed in single day in Afghanistan - Oct 29, 2011
- NATO confirms killing of Taliban Deputy Governor in Afghanistan - Jan 03, 2011
- Afghanistan to probe NATO airstrike on Pakistan - Nov 28, 2011
- NATO soldier killed in Afghan insurgent attack - Nov 12, 2011
- Don't mention the war - Germany's Afghanistan taboo - Sep 24, 2009
- Suicide attack kills seven policemen in Afghanistan - Aug 05, 2010
- Five US, British soldiers killed in Afghanistan (Lead) - Jun 10, 2010
- NATO airstrike kills 25 Taliban in Afghanistan (Lead) - May 29, 2010
- Man in Afghan army uniform kills NATO soldier - Feb 01, 2012
- Seven killed in Afghan clashes against Quran burning - Feb 24, 2012
Tags: armoured vehicles, bundeswehr, cycle of violence, defence ministry spokesman, defence spokesman, deployment, escalation, favour, greens, grenades, international security assistance, military activities, mortar, opinion polls, presidential election, rheinische post, rules of engagement, security forces, spokesman said that, taliban
