Post by hunter on Sept 3, 2019 19:52:55 GMT
The Taliban killed 16 civilians and wounded 119 others in Kabul Monday evening while America's envoy for peace talks was on TV describing a possible new U.S. withdrawal plan. The Taliban struck what Reuters calls a "housing complex used by international organizations," aka the Green Village in Police District 9, which has been a frequent target of the group in the recent past. Some 400 foreigners were evacuated during Monday evening's attacks.
Said one local to Reuters: "This isn't once or twice, it's the fourth or fifth time, all by the Taliban. A lot of my friends, a lot of my family have been wounded or killed… What can we do?"
The Taliban's violence included a suicide bomber driving a tractor loaded with explosives and at least five other gunmen, according to Kabul's Interior Ministry. The explosion from the tractor bomb could be heard and felt for miles away.
Here's video footage of the aftermath, from Afghanistan's Tolo News. And here's an open-source history of the attack as details trickled out on social media (h/t @natsecjeff).
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/HA2I43RGVVCWBFRWH5JGX64TMI.jpg)
Said one local to Reuters: "This isn't once or twice, it's the fourth or fifth time, all by the Taliban. A lot of my friends, a lot of my family have been wounded or killed… What can we do?"
The Taliban's violence included a suicide bomber driving a tractor loaded with explosives and at least five other gunmen, according to Kabul's Interior Ministry. The explosion from the tractor bomb could be heard and felt for miles away.
Here's video footage of the aftermath, from Afghanistan's Tolo News. And here's an open-source history of the attack as details trickled out on social media (h/t @natsecjeff).
Said Taliban spox Zabihullah Mujahid to the Associated Press: "We understand that peace talks are going on ... but they must also understand that we are not weak and if we enter into talks ... we enter from a strong position."
About that Khalilzad-Taliban peace plan: It reportedly involves removing 5,400 U.S. troops and closing five bases over 135 days "in exchange for Taliban guarantees that Afghanistan would not be used as a base for militant attacks on the United States and its allies," according to Reuters. Notably, the Khalilzad deal does not include a ceasefire.
Said Khalilzad to Tolo News: "In principle, on paper, yes we have reached an agreement — that it is done. But it is not final until the president of the United States also agrees to it." More on the known-knowns of that deal from the New York Times here.
Worth noting as Khalilzad awaits final approval from President Trump:
"Attacks have surged in recent months," AP writes, "including Taliban assaults on two provincial capitals [Kunduz
"Attacks have surged in recent months," AP writes, "including Taliban assaults on two provincial capitals [Kunduz
and Pul-e Khumri] over the weekend, as the group seeks to strengthen its negotiating position"
and—
The Taliban continues to reject any negotiations with Kabul officials, dismissing the official government "as a U.S. puppet."
In case you're curious, the Times writes "The Afghan president had asked for time to study the American agreement," which U.S. officials provided to President Ashraf Ghani, but then reportedly "collected it before the start of a larger meeting with other officials." Let's hope Ghani has a photographic memory.
The Taliban continues to reject any negotiations with Kabul officials, dismissing the official government "as a U.S. puppet."
In case you're curious, the Times writes "The Afghan president had asked for time to study the American agreement," which U.S. officials provided to President Ashraf Ghani, but then reportedly "collected it before the start of a larger meeting with other officials." Let's hope Ghani has a photographic memory.
If everything proceeds swiftly past a Trump thumbs-up, the Wall Street Journal reports "The Taliban are then expected to begin separate talks in Norway with an Afghan delegation, including representatives of the government, about a cease-fire and how the country will be ruled."
And Ghani is kind of an X factor, having "told aides that he will need far longer than the nine months the U.S. has taken to get a withdrawal agreement to achieve a deal on a cease-fire and future political arrangements in the country."
Extra reading: A 2013 report (PDF) on the merits of talking with the Taliban, from Ryan Evans (now of War on the Rocks).
Another perspective: "I Served 10 Tours in Afghanistan. It's Time for Us to Leave.That's from retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, and now a candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire.
And Ghani is kind of an X factor, having "told aides that he will need far longer than the nine months the U.S. has taken to get a withdrawal agreement to achieve a deal on a cease-fire and future political arrangements in the country."
Extra reading: A 2013 report (PDF) on the merits of talking with the Taliban, from Ryan Evans (now of War on the Rocks).
Another perspective: "I Served 10 Tours in Afghanistan. It's Time for Us to Leave.That's from retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, and now a candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire.
And ICYMI on Thursday, America lost its 15th servicemember to combat operations in Afghanistan when a Green Beret died in Zabul province "after disembarking a helicopter at the start of a joint mission with Afghan commandos," according to the New York Times' initial report.
RIP: Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Ard, age 31, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and a comms sergeant with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Washington state's Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Dustin leaves behind "a young daughter and a pregnant wife," Army Times reported this weekend.
RIP: Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Ard, age 31, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and a comms sergeant with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Washington state's Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Dustin leaves behind "a young daughter and a pregnant wife," Army Times reported this weekend.
