U.S. Special Forces ordered to leave Afghan Province

[Sdiver]

... and Barry will support this too, I'll wager.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan's president on Sunday ordered all U.S. special forces to leave a strategically important eastern province within two weeks because of allegations that Afghans working with them are torturing and abusing other Afghans.

Presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi said the decision to order the American special forces to leave Wardak province was taken during a meeting of the National Security Council because of the alleged actions of Afghans who are considered linked to the U.S. special forces.

He said all special forces operations were to cease immediately in the restive province next to Kabul, which is viewed as a gateway to the capital and has been the focus of counterinsurgency efforts in recent years.

The U.S. forces issued a statement saying it was aware of Faizi's comments, adding "We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and go to great lengths to determine the facts surrounding them."

The statement went on to add, "This is an important issue that we intend to fully discuss with our Afghan counterparts. But until we have had a chance to speak with senior Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials about this issue, we are not in a position to comment further."

For years, Wardak has been the scene of intense fighting between NATO forces and various militant groups including the Taliban. In late November, a suicide bombing in the provincial capital of Maidan Shahr targeted U.S. and Afghan forces, killing three people and wounding nearly 100 more. No U.S. forces were killed but several were injured in the blast.

Following that attack, a Taliban spokesman claiming responsibility said it was in response to the execution of four Taliban fighters at the hands of the Afghan government at its main detention center in Kabul.

The Taliban have staged numerous attacks against U.S.-led coalition forces in the province. In August 2011, insurgents shot down a Chinook helicopter, killing 30 American troops, mostly elite Navy SEALs, in Wardak. The crash was the single deadliest loss for U.S. forces in the war.

Afghan forces have taken the lead in many such special operations, especially so-called night raids.

"Those Afghans in these armed groups who are working with the U.S. special forces, the defense minister asked for an explanation of who they are," Faizi said. "Those individuals should be handed over to the Afghan side so that we can further investigate."

A statement the security council issued in English said the armed individuals have allegedly been "harassing, annoying, torturing and even murdering innocent people."

Ceasing all such operations could have a negative impact on the coalition's campaign to go after Taliban leaders and commanders, who are usually the target of such operations.

Faizi said the issue had already been brought up with the coalition.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...ardak/1942943/

[Richard]

What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago the majority opinion was to "pile it on" - now it's "pile on the bus and take the closest interstate out of there."

Can there ever be a "happy median" in such situations w/o it being seen as either winning or losing, or maybe worse, quitting?

Complicated it is.

Richard

[Ret10Echo]

Maybe if they just give all the citizens a shotgun.............

[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by Richard

What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago the majority opinion was to "pile it on" - now it's "pile on the bus and take the closest interstate out of there."

Can there ever be a "happy median" in such situations w/o it being seen as either winning or losing, or maybe worse, quitting?

Complicated it is.

Richard

NO "happy median" Richard.

I say speed up the withdrawal!! This is the writting on the wall that SOOOOoooo many "people" have been looking pass and the other way. Some people are smoking a hookah pipe, and I feel now it has some additives. People aren't seeing straight.

This is the writting on the wall for the future IMNSHO. SOFA or no SOFA!!

[BMT (RIP)]

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2...tml?ESRC=eb.nl

BMT

[ddoering]

Originally Posted by Richard

What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago the majority opinion was to "pile it on" - now it's "pile on the bus and take the closest interstate out of there."

Can there ever be a "happy median" in such situations w/o it being seen as either winning or losing, or maybe worse, quitting?

Complicated it is.

Richard

Well Richard, official policy has us giving up. The VP has declared it unwinnable. So why risk one more life when we can just get out and let them have at each other. Perhaps you have a better plan and we don't need to know.....

[Dad]

When I have read articles regarding Karzai's mandate, I am confused somewhat. The articles refer to special forces, but do they actually mean special operations? If it were Army Special Forces they were referring to, it should be capitalized. I read an article once about special forces only to discover they were referring to US Navy SEALS. So help me, exactly who is Karzai ordering out? All special operations?
Thank you!

[Richard]

The Talib must be at it again...

Dad - it's a Brit newspaper and SOF are SF to them - the order from A'stan was for US SOF to withdraw from the proince.

Richard