Iraq seems to be on track to stabilization although peace is still very very fragile in that country. But what is proving to be rather irksome is Afghanistan. Especially because the militants have the ability to hit at the stationed American and NATO forces, and then scurry back to ungoverned tribal bad lands of Pakistan for R&R.
The fact that Pakistan is not doing its bit or unable to do so, either intentionally or unintentionally, to eliminate this threat is further adding to the frustration of American troop commanders posted in Afghanistan.
In the latest attack, 9 American soldiers lost their lives when their remote outpost in Wanat, Afghanistan was attacked by mortars and small arms fire.
Voice of America is reporting that,
Western officials in Kabul say heavy fighting in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan has killed nine American soldiers and a large number of Taliban militants.
Accounts of the clash Sunday in Kunar province, near the Pakistani border, say it began with a dawn attack by militants on a small U.S. base at Wanat village and that a firefight raged throughout the day.
One unconfirmed report says “dozens” of Taliban insurgents died in the battle. No official count of casualties on either side has been released, due to continuing fighting, but it appeared to be one of the deadliest assaults on U.S. forces since they entered Afghanistan in late 2001.
American government officials have started to publicly decry the lack of action on the part of Pakistan and its refusal to act on these elements. (The Islamic country is oscillating between getting peace deals done to battling the militants in a half baked manner).
The American officials recently announced plans to launch attacks using their own ground based special forces. (Aerial attacks have already taken place without any issues except for when there is collateral damage).
Although it would be hard to blame Pakistanis as they themselves have never had much control of these areas, in stead preferring to rule through center appointed proxies who colluded with region’s tribal elders. But now even this approach seems to be faltering.
Bottom line is, that Pakistan should be told in no uncertain terms that if it refuses to fulfill its responsibility of getting rid of non-state actors who use its land to plot attacks in Afghanistan or as a safe haven, then it no longer should concern itself if American forces enter to do its job.
Either Pak army should do the cleaning act or shut up, get out of the way, and let others who are capable, do it.
Check out this forum for more details and discussion.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
These guys are my heroes.
July 13th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
About 15 GIs were injured in this attack.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Hey, what’s up?
The ball game was interrupted for a bulletin about some U.S. Volunteers fighting in Afghanistan.
Go Troops! Hope you win!
BTW…what are they there for, and hope they got lots of beers!
July 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Joe Six packs, whats your nationality?
July 14th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
WE mourn the death of these great men and pray for reinforcements immediately.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:18 am
I fought in that area, the Pakistanis(Border Patrol) leave their defensive positions every night so to allow Talibans and al-Qaeda to use them to fire on our positions. We lost several Afghan and American Soldiers as a consequence of this situation. We-American need to do something about it!
July 15th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
This blog fully supports the troops Roby.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I have a good family friend who was involved in the firefight. His wife called us to let us know there was something up, as he’d been in the middle of a video-chat session with her when the base went into lockdown and he disconnected abrubtly. Thank God he was not one of the 9 casualties and our prayers go out to the families of the Heroes who are putting their life on the line for this country’s safety.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Please pray for the family and friends of 1st. Lt. Jonathan Brostrom my fellow ROTC cadet… one of the 9 brave men who died for our country, he is in God’s hands now.
And for the others as well, they are our heroes.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I really am ashemed that on one hand Children from so far away are fighting for a cause and betting their lives, whereas we Indians are just mute spectators even though the war against terrorism is going on at our doorstep..its high time India joins hands with the cause, and fight alonside….
August 12th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
R.I.P. Sgt. Israel Garcia 1.19.84-7.13.8
We love you and miss you more than this world.