- Reaction score
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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/08/31/pf-1789394.html
August 31, 2006
Major Cdn attack looms near Kandahar
By LES PERREAUX
Canadian soldiers block traffic after a suicide attack on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Canadian and NATO forces are marshalling for a major battle to retake a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan that has become a painful thorn in the side of Canadian troops.
NATO commanders cast a dire warning to Afghan civilians Thursday to flee the Panjwaii district near Kandahar where Canadians troops have fought - and several have died - to repeatedly retake the same dusty villages and scrubby grape farms.
Col. Steve Williams, the NATO deputy commander in southern Afghanistan, promised this attempt will have long-term results.
"This is going to be different because we're going to stay," said Williams, the plain-talking leader of 2,500 U.S. troops based with NATO forces in Kandahar.
"Part of the problem in the past is forces would go in, engage the Taliban and then leave. We've realized you have to leave forces in the area to keep the Taliban from coming back. So that is our plan."
The precise timing of the operation remains secret, Williams said.
The bulk of recent Canadian casualties have taken place in the area 30 kilometres west of Kandahar, where Canadian commanders have trumpeted several victories and boldly predicted rapid reconstruction.
Instead, much of the area keeps falling back into Taliban hands. Terrorized local civilians have fled to the nearby city, and rebuilding has ground to a standstill.
One Afghan leader from the area said NATO is in for a tough fight that won't end once troops move in. He said the alliance should attempt some form of reconciliation with local militants.
Haji Agha Lalai, the chief Panjwaii district elder who was chased out of his village by Taliban, said the insurgents have infiltrated every aspect of life there.
"They own shops, they own homes there, they will not retreat," Lalai predicted. "There are many types of Taliban, but these are the warriors. They have been told to fight and they will fight."
"If it is followed by a reconciliation program, it would be better," said Lalai, who is also a provincial councillor and a regional director of Afghanistan's reconciliation program.
Williams said the time for reconciliation is over.
"I can tell you right now that the only talking we're doing to the Taliban is, if they want to die, stay. . . . If they don't want to die, give up," said Williams. "That's about all the talking we're doing."
As the troops prepared for battle, a call came from the New Democrats in Ottawa for their withdrawal.
NDP Leader Jack Layton said the troops should be pulled out of Afghanistan by February because the mission "lacks a comprehensive rebuilding plan and commensurate development assistance."
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay brushed off Layton's idea, saying Parliament has voted to extend the mission to 2009.
In Kandahar, Williams promised that a major reconstruction push would follow behind combat troops to quickly restore local commerce and infrastructure.
He also promised beans, rice, blankets and other humanitarian aid would accompany the offensive to help refugees who flee from the region.
Williams said NATO troops are waiting for the best time to attack Taliban forces and cause the least possible disruption to farmers remaining in the area.
"We've learned from elders in the area and district leaders what we need to do so the Taliban doesn't come back," Williams said, adding that tribal leaders say they have had enough and want the Taliban out.
August 31, 2006
Major Cdn attack looms near Kandahar
By LES PERREAUX
Canadian soldiers block traffic after a suicide attack on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Canadian and NATO forces are marshalling for a major battle to retake a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan that has become a painful thorn in the side of Canadian troops.
NATO commanders cast a dire warning to Afghan civilians Thursday to flee the Panjwaii district near Kandahar where Canadians troops have fought - and several have died - to repeatedly retake the same dusty villages and scrubby grape farms.
Col. Steve Williams, the NATO deputy commander in southern Afghanistan, promised this attempt will have long-term results.
"This is going to be different because we're going to stay," said Williams, the plain-talking leader of 2,500 U.S. troops based with NATO forces in Kandahar.
"Part of the problem in the past is forces would go in, engage the Taliban and then leave. We've realized you have to leave forces in the area to keep the Taliban from coming back. So that is our plan."
The precise timing of the operation remains secret, Williams said.
The bulk of recent Canadian casualties have taken place in the area 30 kilometres west of Kandahar, where Canadian commanders have trumpeted several victories and boldly predicted rapid reconstruction.
Instead, much of the area keeps falling back into Taliban hands. Terrorized local civilians have fled to the nearby city, and rebuilding has ground to a standstill.
One Afghan leader from the area said NATO is in for a tough fight that won't end once troops move in. He said the alliance should attempt some form of reconciliation with local militants.
Haji Agha Lalai, the chief Panjwaii district elder who was chased out of his village by Taliban, said the insurgents have infiltrated every aspect of life there.
"They own shops, they own homes there, they will not retreat," Lalai predicted. "There are many types of Taliban, but these are the warriors. They have been told to fight and they will fight."
"If it is followed by a reconciliation program, it would be better," said Lalai, who is also a provincial councillor and a regional director of Afghanistan's reconciliation program.
Williams said the time for reconciliation is over.
"I can tell you right now that the only talking we're doing to the Taliban is, if they want to die, stay. . . . If they don't want to die, give up," said Williams. "That's about all the talking we're doing."
As the troops prepared for battle, a call came from the New Democrats in Ottawa for their withdrawal.
NDP Leader Jack Layton said the troops should be pulled out of Afghanistan by February because the mission "lacks a comprehensive rebuilding plan and commensurate development assistance."
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay brushed off Layton's idea, saying Parliament has voted to extend the mission to 2009.
In Kandahar, Williams promised that a major reconstruction push would follow behind combat troops to quickly restore local commerce and infrastructure.
He also promised beans, rice, blankets and other humanitarian aid would accompany the offensive to help refugees who flee from the region.
Williams said NATO troops are waiting for the best time to attack Taliban forces and cause the least possible disruption to farmers remaining in the area.
"We've learned from elders in the area and district leaders what we need to do so the Taliban doesn't come back," Williams said, adding that tribal leaders say they have had enough and want the Taliban out.
