Taliban Allegedly Retake Control of Zambul Province

[Mr Manifesto]

I say 'allegedly' because I've never heard of SIFY and I'm not sure how reliable a news source they are. Link here (http://sify.com/news/international/fullstory.php?id=13222480).


Washington: The Taliban has wrested control of most of Zabul province in southeastern Afghanistan-- for the first time recapturing a province since being ousted from power by the US military in November 2001-- geopolitical analytical firm Stratfor reported.
Stratfor said its sources have confirmed reports first published on a Web site maintained by Muslim jihadists, jihadunspun.com, that Taliban fighters, in concert with al Qaeda forces, have have retaken Zabul.

The advance also underscores the stalemate between the United States and its Afghan allies against the Taliban. It indicates that the alliance formed in early 2002 between the Taliban, al Qaeda and Hizb-i-Islami -- the party led by Afghan war lord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar -- is paying off for the militants, Stratfor said in a report.


The rest of the article mentions that Zabul is an important province as it is in a position to cut communications, etc. here (http://www.calpundit.com/archives/001906.html) is a blog which shows where Zabul is on a map.

I think this shows just how much the US forces are spreading themselves thin as they continue to rage like a wounded bear in the Middle East. Maybe it was a mistake to attack Iraq until things had settled down in Afghanistan? Do you think?

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by Mr Manifesto
Maybe it was a mistake to attack Iraq until things had settled down in Afghanistan? Do you think? Quite the understatement.

"Only an idiot fights a war on two fronts. Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would fight a war on twelve fronts." --Londo Molari, Babylon 5

[Mr Manifesto]

Although a few web sites have commented on this, the only source given is the SIFY article. I don't think SIFY has done a follow-up article either. Hmm.

Can anyone translate the Al-Jazeera site and see if it has anything to say? I'm buggered if I know how to do it.

Or if there happens to be anyone on the forum from Afghanistan... :D

[Mr Manifesto]

Update (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/01/international/asia/01AFGH.html?th) (NY Times, need free subscription to view)

Taliban Raids Widen in Parts of Afghanistan
By DAVID ROHDE


ANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The Taliban, backed by new volunteers from Pakistan, are regrouping and steadily expanding their attacks in southern and eastern Afghanistan, their former stronghold, according to Afghan officials, Western diplomats and captured fighters.

The clashes have increased since mid-August, particularly in Zabul Province and other parts of the southeast. [Two American soldiers were killed on Sunday in a 90-minute gun battle in Paktika Province, after a week of fighting that was the fiercest in months, the Pentagon said. It said dozens of Taliban had died, as had nine Afghan soldiers. To date, 35 American soldiers have been killed in action in Afghanistan.]

In the region generally, Western diplomats said, the Taliban have changed their tactics. Not only are American forces being attacked, but so are Afghan policemen, aid workers and midlevel officials. The United Nations reports that attacks on aid workers, most of them Afghans, have "intensified significantly" since May.



edit: fix f***ing tag

[American]

Great. If we know where they are, they're as good as dead.

[Mr Manifesto]

Originally posted by American
Great. If we know where they are, they're as good as dead.

You didn't know when you first attacked Afghanistan?

[a_unique_person]

I don't know if I would call it control. More like, unstable miltarisation. That is, there is no peace, the US can't control it, and keeps the hell out of it till it can get decent size force together to sort it out.

This fits in with my prediction of a 'global vietnam' concept. I think Iran, Syria and North Korea can now rest easy about any thought of military intervention against them.

[The Fool]

Originally posted by American
Great. If we know where they are, they're as good as dead.
Wonders never cease!!!
I agree with American!!!

Sounds like someone has hoisted a flag over a mud hut and claimed control of a whole provence.... Even with the US "spread thinly" I can't see any Taliban remnants seriously challenging the US military. By the time a US patrol arrives the taliban may change thier minds about who controls the area.....

[aerocontrols]

Update (http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/030903/w090335.html)

[Tmy]

We never gave a crap about the Taliban until they refuse to turn over ALQueda.. THeyd still be in power if they handed over Bin Ladin when we asked.