Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Afghans’ War Remains Fierce After Coalition Ends Combat Mission

The U.S.-led coalition formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan on Sunday, a step President Barack Obama hailed as the end of America’s war. But the conflict is far from over for Afghans.

In fact, the fighting is as intense as it has ever been since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. This year, Taliban fighters launched large-scale offensives in the countryside and stepped up high-profile attacks in cities. While the insurgents weren’t able to capture new territory, Afghan and foreign officials say, security has deteriorated and Afghan troops and civilians are dying in record numbers.

Dangam is one of the country’s latest flash points. The fighting there was sparked by a local anti-Taliban movement led by villagers such as Mr. Khan. When the Taliban moved to crush the uprising, Afghan troops intervened.

Two weeks later, the battle is still raging, and some 600 families, including Mr. Khan’s, have fled the area. And as the U.S. and its partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization reduce their military involvement in Afghanistan, many Afghans are asking if Afghan forces can achieve what foreign troops— with their state-of-the art equipment—could not.

“I hope I’m wrong, but I fear 2015 will be a lot bloodier,” one Afghan official said.

Foreign forces aren’t leaving Afghanistan altogether. Around 18,000 U.S. and NATO troops are staying in Afghanistan, but they will mostly focus on training and advising Afghan security forces, who took the lead in security last year and now number 350,000 troops.  Read More at WSJ
U.S.-Led Forces Formally Ending Afghanistan Combat Mission

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