NATO forces are likely to come under increased attack from the former ruling Taliban in the year to come as the United States withdraws some of its troops from Afghanistan, a report suggested May 24.
”This year will be crucial for Afghanistan as well as for NATO as it expands its mission to the south,” the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said in “The Military Balance 2006”, which was published May 24.
”The Taliban, taking advantage of what they perceive to be an opportunity during the switch from U.S. to NATO deployments, are likely to continue to increase their operational tempo — not least because they know that casualties amongst European NATO member states may mobilize domestic opinion in those states against ‘the war’.”
Attacks by the hardline Islamists have increased in recent months, mainly in the central and southern provinces of Afghanistan. Suicide bombings have become more frequent but the preferred method continues to be guerrilla-style tactics.
The May 24 edition of The Times newspaper in London quoted a man who claims to lead Taliban fighters in the lawless southern Helmand province as warning British Prime Minister Tony Blair against sending more troops to the country.
”My message to Tony Blair and the whole of Britain is: ‘Do not send your children here. We will kill them’,” he told the daily, adding that hundreds of his men were prepared to become suicide bombers.
The North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) is increasing its presence in Afghanistan from 9,000 troops to 15,000 to ease the burden on the United States, which will now pull out some 2,000 soldiers from Operation Enduring Freedom.
The remaining U.S. forces — which will retain overall control for anti-terrorist operations — will now be re-deployed to the east of the country.
Meanwhile NATO, with Britain in overall command, will focus on reconstruction and protective security efforts as well as counter-narcotic operations.
In a summary of the report, IISS director John Chipman said controlling the number of insurgents crossing Afghanistan’s porous eastern border with Pakistan was also a “critical issue” for the success of the NATO operation.
”With some 80,000 Pakistani troops trying to exercise control amongst a hostile local population on their side (of the border), it is hard at this juncture to see how more can be done,” he said.
”Yet, in order for NATO forces to succeed, border control, and better liaison with Pakistan must be considered central to the success or failure of the mission, which involves some 5,700 British troops.”
