U.S. plan to arm Afghan militia founders on tribal rivalries

ACHIN, Afghanistan — Achin district, a home of the Shinwari tribe, is part of an ambitious countrywide U.S. push to fund tribal militias to stand against the Taliban and stabilize the violence-plagued region.

The groups don't receive weapons — which already are plentiful in Afghanistan — but U.S. Special Operations Forces provide money and in some cases training. The militias are meant to complement uniformed Afghan forces and Western troops.

US plan to arm Afghan militia founders on tribal rivalries‎