generalspeaking

Afghan Civilian Casualties

In Afghanistan, the ever-resurgent Taliban and its terrorist activity has ensured that the country's civilian casualty toll has risen to greater depths than ever. The Taliban are resilient, they are demonically inspired to bring atrocity close to the lives of any Afghans who fail to accept their dominance. Instead of being beaten back by the presence, the weapons and military prowess of over one hundred thousand Western troops from the NATO alliance, they thrived magnificently, thanks to the support of the Pakistan military and its secret service.

Guerrilla warfare trumps organized military action, even with the more advanced weapons technology available to military organization of wealthy countries who have temporarily loaned out their soldiers, their military rolling stock and warplanes, their funding in aid of a fundamental change of governing style in a country that has been mired in the Middle Ages and in the desperately violently throes of one foreign occupation after another.

Where once it was triumphed that the Taliban had been pushed out of Afghanistan along with the remnants of al-Qaeda, their honoured guests, it became clear soon enough, spring after spring, that the Taliban were healthily resurgent, prepared to pressure farmers in remote provinces to grow poppies whose opiate sales would further fund their plans for the future. The Taliban patiently awaited the departure of foreigners from Afghan soil.

They would return to govern the country as they once had. The government of President Hamid Karzai is prepared to share government with them. As long as they forswear violence. And agree to govern in a manner more reflective of a modern era, and make use of the democratic-type infrastructure that brought social security and welfare to the population, including health clinics, including schools for girls.

All of which is hardly reflective of the Taliban agenda.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has produced a mid-year report blaming the insurgency for 74% of the casualties inflicted on civilians in Afghanistan. The outrage that results from Afghanistan's government and its people when civilian deaths and accidents result from foreign troop presence is overwhelming. Not quite so abrasively demanding when it emanates from the Taliban.

But the incidence of violent deaths among Afghan civilians have risen 14% and wounded 28% compared to last year. Homemade bombs and mines in fields and roads are largely responsible for maiming civilians, young and old. Those IEAs have been responsible for the deaths and amputations of a good many foreign military personnel as well; a speciality of the Taliban.

And then there is the little matter of U.S. soldier Bradley Manning's release of thousands of classified documents. Those leaks that saw public disclosure identified Afghan villagers who aided foreign troops. The Taliban can read, they are adept in the use of the Internet, and they never hesitate to punish those they deem to be traitors to Afghanistan.

Labels: Afghanistan, Conflict, Islamism, NATO, Taliban, United States

posted by Pieface @ Friday, August 02, 2013