Yesterday the Taliban, obviously distraught about the success of the Mumbai attackers, attempted their own India style barrage. Developing reports detail that at least nine people have been killed so far in a Taliban attack on two government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Witnesses say at least five men armed with assault rifles and grenades attacked the Justice Ministry building, triggering a two-hour gunbattle. Two of the attackers and at least three ministry employees were killed.
Police also say a suicide bomber attacked another building belonging to the ministry in northern Kabul, killing at least three people.
So, the reports confirm that the Taliban is still insistent on planning and executing attacks on unarmed targets as well as government officials, a trend they are habitualizing themselves too. Many bloggers have been tossing around their analysis of how this positions the Taliban in strength stature. Many, such as Abu Muqawama, believe these attacks show that the Taliban is not getting stronger, just adjusting their tactics. The new director of national intelligence told congress yesterday that the Taliban is getting stronger and the Karzai government is getting weaker.
So, who do you believe? What type of attack do you classify this as? Are the Taliban partaking in tactics of unconventional warfare or is this a simple case of terrorism? Does this attack make them seem weaker or stronger? Growing or shrinking? Not sure, well just stay posted to our blogs and you will see the light...from a blast in Kabul if your not careful.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Except for the fact of simultaneous attacks, this is rather different than Mumbai, in that it involved suicide bombers whose targets seem to have been various government ministries rather than gunmen attacking the general population (and foreigners) in hotels, railway stations and the like.
Great insight COnant, thanks for the comment, but I must correct your assessment. The suicide bombing in northern Kabul happened in front of the Khorasan hotel in the north of the capital.
Additionally, new reports say that 26 civilians were killed and 55 wounded. In Kabul, there are not many tourists or civilians other than NGO personnell and government employees, which is exactly who the Taliban targeted. Had there been more "tourists" in hotels, railways (which are not prevalent in Kabul) they would have no doubt targeted them as well.
All attackers were armed with assualt rifles and explosive belts. In fact one attacker who failed to detonate himself has been apprehended in the Educational ministry building, justy like the one from Mumbai. Take a closer look at the two attacks, including the warning signs and you may change your opinion.
Before you reply Conant, let me ask you this...Does staying in a hotel or using a railway make you more of civilian than working in a Ministry building?
I think the Mumbai-Kabul comparison was meant a little more loosely. Nevertheless, I think it shows that the Taliban is in the driver seat now. They can hit were, when they please.
What is also interesting is that the Taliban is moving from the village level to the streets of Kabul. As this reality would seem to trigger a troop increase on the part of Washington, rather, it has led Defense Sec. Gates to delay the decision for 60 days.
But I'm not sure that the U.S. and NATO have 60 days. When the shopkeepers in Kabul think that the U.S. cant stop the Taliban, then their revival becomes almost inevitable.
Something needs to be done to show that the U.S. and Europe are in control.
Could these attacks be coordinated by the Special Opps. team to justify further U.S. involvement?
or is this just weird conspiracy delusional thinking?
I am interested in your take . . .
Sorry Franco, but this is no X-Files. IT is simply a case of the "bad" Taliban.
A spokesman for the Taliban said in a statement to a private television station that the attacks were revenge for mistreatment of Taliban prisoners by Afghan authorities. The operation came a day before a visit by Richard Holbrooke, the new US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and highlighted the deteriorating security situation. It was a win for the Taliban.
Rooster,
Your are better then a therapist, both rational and factual. Perhaps, just too much NPR for me.
In any event, as the Rooster crows, my ears are opened . . .
thanks.
Post a Comment