thedrifter
07-11-06, 12:56 PM
July 17, 2006
Afghanistan sees spike in violence, U.S. deaths
Drug trafficking, tribal feuds contribute to problem
By Gordon Lubold
Times staff writer
The Taliban is increasing its strength in some areas of Afghanistan, but that’s not the only reason behind a resurgence of violence there, according to U.S. officials.
The senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan, where 23,000 American troops are deployed, acknowledged that violence has been rising even as NATO forces slowly assume more responsibility for security in the country.
Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command, Afghanistan, said the Taliban has indeed become stronger and bolder, and a more viable enemy.
“To be sure, the presence and strength of the Taliban has grown in some districts, primarily in the south,” Eikenberry told the House Armed Services Committee on June 28. “Since being removed as a regime, they have reconstituted elsewhere. We are seeing enemy forces now operate in formations of 40 to 50 fighters. They are demonstrating better command and control, and they are fighting hard.”
June saw a sizable increase in the number of hostile deaths among U.S. troops, which normally stays in single digits each month. Through June 24, there were 13 American deaths, the highest monthly total since last August. June also saw U.S. casualties on six consecutive days for the first time since the invasion in October 2001.
U.S. officials attribute some of the rise in violence to the arrival of summer, which allows Taliban and al-Qaida members to mobilize after a long and snowy winter.
Drug trafficking, tribal conflicts and land disputes have also contributed to the rise in casualties.
Over the past year, attacks using improvised explosive devices have been on the rise, officials said.
Coalition forces are conducting two operations, including an interdiction effort in the south called Operation Mountain Thrust, which adds to the violence.
But Eikenberry insisted that the progress being made in Afghanistan is “truly significant,” pointing out that the country has a democratically elected president, a sitting parliament, a cabinet, a functioning constitution and a growing Afghan National Security Force.
However, sentiment is split over Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who is seen by some as a giant and others as an increasingly ineffective leader, in part because he is unable to govern outside Kabul, the capital.
Against this backdrop, NATO forces are gradually taking over more responsibility for security in Afghanistan. They will soon assume responsibility in the south and could oversee the entire country by year’s end.
The expansion of NATO forces to the south, where much of the violence is occurring, is seen as a true test. The south is home to some of the lushest farming areas, and it’s where the illegal poppy trade is flourishing.
U.S. Central Command officials have declined to speculate how the expansion of NATO authority would affect U.S. troop levels, which rose from about 19,000 last year to the current 23,000.
The key to bringing peace, security and economic stability to the country is not more troops, Eikenberry said, but restoring the “middle ground” — better government, economic infrastructure, rule of law, social services and construction of new schools and roads.
“If you were to ask me the question, right now, would I prefer to have another infantry battalion on the ground of 600 soldiers, or would I prefer to have $50 million for roads, my answer would be to have $50 million for roads,” Eikenberry told the House panel.
Growth will nourish security
“What is needed right now [is] to get the economy of Afghanistan moving forward, which ties into the security of the Afghan people,” Eikenberry said.
He cited a recent poll that showed 80 percent of Afghans named economic reconstruction as their top need, even more than security.
The poppy trade poses a grave concern. Although much of the industry has been eradicated, it remains an illegitimate economic engine in a country with few alternatives.
While the U.S. does not want to take the blame for destroying a source of people’s livelihood, American officials are helping Afghan forces in those efforts.
Retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey returned from a trip to Afghanistan in late May and recently released a report in which he said the Afghan army needs more equipment. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., pointed to the report at the June 28 hearing, demanding that Eikenberry give as realistic a picture of operations in Afghanistan as possible.
“We can’t help you if we don’t know what’s going on,” Snyder said.
“It is indeed time to look at improving the equipment, the mobility of this Afghan National Army,” Eikenberry said, but he added that NATO allies would have to consider helping the U.S. supply that equipment.
McCaffrey predicted in his report that the Taliban will be relegated to a minor role within the next six months, as long as the U.S., NATO and coalition forces remain committed to that goal.
Ellie
Afghanistan sees spike in violence, U.S. deaths
Drug trafficking, tribal feuds contribute to problem
By Gordon Lubold
Times staff writer
The Taliban is increasing its strength in some areas of Afghanistan, but that’s not the only reason behind a resurgence of violence there, according to U.S. officials.
The senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan, where 23,000 American troops are deployed, acknowledged that violence has been rising even as NATO forces slowly assume more responsibility for security in the country.
Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command, Afghanistan, said the Taliban has indeed become stronger and bolder, and a more viable enemy.
“To be sure, the presence and strength of the Taliban has grown in some districts, primarily in the south,” Eikenberry told the House Armed Services Committee on June 28. “Since being removed as a regime, they have reconstituted elsewhere. We are seeing enemy forces now operate in formations of 40 to 50 fighters. They are demonstrating better command and control, and they are fighting hard.”
June saw a sizable increase in the number of hostile deaths among U.S. troops, which normally stays in single digits each month. Through June 24, there were 13 American deaths, the highest monthly total since last August. June also saw U.S. casualties on six consecutive days for the first time since the invasion in October 2001.
U.S. officials attribute some of the rise in violence to the arrival of summer, which allows Taliban and al-Qaida members to mobilize after a long and snowy winter.
Drug trafficking, tribal conflicts and land disputes have also contributed to the rise in casualties.
Over the past year, attacks using improvised explosive devices have been on the rise, officials said.
Coalition forces are conducting two operations, including an interdiction effort in the south called Operation Mountain Thrust, which adds to the violence.
But Eikenberry insisted that the progress being made in Afghanistan is “truly significant,” pointing out that the country has a democratically elected president, a sitting parliament, a cabinet, a functioning constitution and a growing Afghan National Security Force.
However, sentiment is split over Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who is seen by some as a giant and others as an increasingly ineffective leader, in part because he is unable to govern outside Kabul, the capital.
Against this backdrop, NATO forces are gradually taking over more responsibility for security in Afghanistan. They will soon assume responsibility in the south and could oversee the entire country by year’s end.
The expansion of NATO forces to the south, where much of the violence is occurring, is seen as a true test. The south is home to some of the lushest farming areas, and it’s where the illegal poppy trade is flourishing.
U.S. Central Command officials have declined to speculate how the expansion of NATO authority would affect U.S. troop levels, which rose from about 19,000 last year to the current 23,000.
The key to bringing peace, security and economic stability to the country is not more troops, Eikenberry said, but restoring the “middle ground” — better government, economic infrastructure, rule of law, social services and construction of new schools and roads.
“If you were to ask me the question, right now, would I prefer to have another infantry battalion on the ground of 600 soldiers, or would I prefer to have $50 million for roads, my answer would be to have $50 million for roads,” Eikenberry told the House panel.
Growth will nourish security
“What is needed right now [is] to get the economy of Afghanistan moving forward, which ties into the security of the Afghan people,” Eikenberry said.
He cited a recent poll that showed 80 percent of Afghans named economic reconstruction as their top need, even more than security.
The poppy trade poses a grave concern. Although much of the industry has been eradicated, it remains an illegitimate economic engine in a country with few alternatives.
While the U.S. does not want to take the blame for destroying a source of people’s livelihood, American officials are helping Afghan forces in those efforts.
Retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey returned from a trip to Afghanistan in late May and recently released a report in which he said the Afghan army needs more equipment. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., pointed to the report at the June 28 hearing, demanding that Eikenberry give as realistic a picture of operations in Afghanistan as possible.
“We can’t help you if we don’t know what’s going on,” Snyder said.
“It is indeed time to look at improving the equipment, the mobility of this Afghan National Army,” Eikenberry said, but he added that NATO allies would have to consider helping the U.S. supply that equipment.
McCaffrey predicted in his report that the Taliban will be relegated to a minor role within the next six months, as long as the U.S., NATO and coalition forces remain committed to that goal.
Ellie