The Insurgency

There is a disturbing element to this insurgency. In 2010 more Afghans are dying in their country's dispute than anytime since 2001. This is due to the Taliban's use of roadside bombs. This contradicts the fact that the Afghans are less in conflict with them than the imposed forces of the US, UN and NATO. The UN, stated that at least 2,412 civilians were killed last year and a further 3,566 wounded as a direct result of the war between Taliban led insurgents and the Western backed government. A friend who is a traveller in the area is quick to point out that the Afghans, apart from their treatment of women, admire what the Taliban are doing on the ground getting electricity working, but "These suicide attacks and roadside bombs most often kill innocent Afghans, not international forces," a human rights advocate said. "This is not the way of Islam and is against international law. This disregard for lives, must stop."

A vindication of US General Stanley McChrystal's policy of restricting the use of air strikes, even so 359 were still killed in air strikes. He told President Karzai that everything would be done to protect civilians. Yet he is the architect of a troop surge, that will see 37,000 more foreign soldiers arrive in Afghanistan this year, and this will certainly result in more violence and deaths.

Carnage in Afghanistan-again.

Balawi was seen as a devout but an aloof Muslim and he told his family that he was going to visit his second wife in Turkey to continue his studies as a doctor, before he returned to Afghanistan. He was recruited in Jordan and managed to lure the CIA officers into a meeting at a gym at Base Chapman with promise that he would reveal the top men in Al Queda.
He detonated himself at this meeting killing all there, amongst the 6 CIA men was a cousin of the son of the late President of Jordan.

The Total Mounts

Watson a bomb dispersal expert was killed on New Year's Eve by a Taliban bomb. His death took to 108 the forces that have died in this conflict. But a few days ago, I believe as we speak the total has gone up to 110. I see in the Independant today Jan 4th that a Canadian platoon has already taken part in offering the Afghan forces support as two months ago 5 British soldiers were gunned down by a Afghan Policeman they were mentoring, it was reported in The Times he was called Golbadein. It must have proved difficult to inspire confidence in the troops with this happening!

The way the Afghan war is likely to go is for US President Barack Obama and the British Prime Minister and other heads of govenment to meet and discuss the issue as all believe that Afghanisation should take place. An agreement between Mr Brown and Hamid Karzai is expected after his recent visit in London.

The first headquarters would be in the Kandahar province, General Shir Mohammed Zazai, working alongside Major General Nick Carter, in charge of 45,000 UK, US and other NATO forces in Southern Afghanistan. We shall be in a supporting role to the Afghan forces.

I hear today there is a demonstration at Wooten Bassett against the forces families that show so much respect for all the soldiers that give their lives and whether you believe that they should or shouldn't be there, you can understand that this is a powder-keg about to go off!!