The security situation in Afghanistan has again become a matter of concern. After the exit of the international troops and the election of a new government after the tenure of Hamid Karzai, it was expected that the new government will take control and improve security – gradually. But a Pentagon report released recently paints a different picture. It says the overall security situation in the country has deteriorated in the second half of this year, with a rapid rise in insurgent attacks and higher casualties among both Taliban and the national forces.
The report wouldn’t come as a surprise for those who have been following the situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban have remained active in their traditional strongholds like Helmand in the south and Logar and Wardak in the east, and created fear and instability for some time in other parts of the country such as Kunduz in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban takeover of Kunduz was the worst blow to the government, which was widely reported in the global media because of a deadly US air strike on a hospital that killed many people. Though Afghan forces were eventually able to drive out the Taliban, the brief takeover had stunned the Afghan forces and the international community which feared that the insurgents would soon build on their gains.
The Pentagon report shows that the government of President Ashraf Ghani has failed to make enough headway in the fight against Taliban. The resurgence of Taliban proves that the security forces are not equipped or trained enough to defeat the enemy. It was this realisation which prompted the US to postpone the withdrawal of its forces. US President Barack Obama backtracked on a pledge to pull out all but 1,000 troops and in October announced that 9,800 US forces would remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2016. This is a wise move which can check the advance of the Taliban. According to a US report, “Obama’s decision recognised Afghan forces will require more time and assistance to develop into a capable, credible and independent force that can protect the Afghan people and contribute to regional and international security”.
The Pentagon report also highlights the gains made by the Afghan forces. It said the Afghan government remains in control of all major population centers and continues to deny the Taliban strategic ground throughout the country.
It’s time for the government of Ashraf Ghani to devise a new strategy to defeat the Taliban. The country has got enough support from the international community to rebuild its armed forces but somehow this help hasn’t translated into action. The Taliban are no pushover and they are battle-hardened enough to give sleepless nights to the army. But Ghani must realise that this is a battle he must win.
The security situation in Afghanistan has again become a matter of concern. After the exit of the international troops and the election of a new government after the tenure of Hamid Karzai, it was expected that the new government will take control and improve security – gradually. But a Pentagon report released recently paints a different picture. It says the overall security situation in the country has deteriorated in the second half of this year, with a rapid rise in insurgent attacks and higher casualties among both Taliban and the national forces.
The report wouldn’t come as a surprise for those who have been following the situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban have remained active in their traditional strongholds like Helmand in the south and Logar and Wardak in the east, and created fear and instability for some time in other parts of the country such as Kunduz in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban takeover of Kunduz was the worst blow to the government, which was widely reported in the global media because of a deadly US air strike on a hospital that killed many people. Though Afghan forces were eventually able to drive out the Taliban, the brief takeover had stunned the Afghan forces and the international community which feared that the insurgents would soon build on their gains.
The Pentagon report shows that the government of President Ashraf Ghani has failed to make enough headway in the fight against Taliban. The resurgence of Taliban proves that the security forces are not equipped or trained enough to defeat the enemy. It was this realisation which prompted the US to postpone the withdrawal of its forces. US President Barack Obama backtracked on a pledge to pull out all but 1,000 troops and in October announced that 9,800 US forces would remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2016. This is a wise move which can check the advance of the Taliban. According to a US report, “Obama’s decision recognised Afghan forces will require more time and assistance to develop into a capable, credible and independent force that can protect the Afghan people and contribute to regional and international security”.
The Pentagon report also highlights the gains made by the Afghan forces. It said the Afghan government remains in control of all major population centers and continues to deny the Taliban strategic ground throughout the country.
It’s time for the government of Ashraf Ghani to devise a new strategy to defeat the Taliban. The country has got enough support from the international community to rebuild its armed forces but somehow this help hasn’t translated into action. The Taliban are no pushover and they are battle-hardened enough to give sleepless nights to the army. But Ghani must realise that this is a battle he must win.
