Posted on 06/10/2006 3:31:27 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Amsterdam - Dutch troops have killed 'several dozen' Taliban fighters over recent weeks in the south-central Afghan province of Uruzgan, the commander of the task force in the province said in an interview published in Saturday's Dutch press.
Colonel Henk Morsink, whose troops are preparing the ground for the arrival in August of around 1,400 Dutch troops, said one of those killed was 'an important Taliban commander.'
Morsink said there had been no Dutch casualties in six engagements around the city of Tarin Kowt since April, although a particularly fierce battle on May 30 had tested the force.
'Our men were under heavy fire and in an awkward situation,' the colonel said, adding that Apache helicopters had been called in to relieve the pressure on the ground troops.
Morsink said his force had encountered greater opposition than expected.
The Dutch troops are deploying as part of a push by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) into the south of the country that will see a near-doubling of NATO forces in Afghanistan to 16,000.
The deployment is intended as a reconstruction mission, but Dutch political leaders are preparing a sceptical public for the possibility of intense fighting.
Speaking after the weekly Friday cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said: 'There is talk of an increase in the activities of what are presumably Taliban forces.'
Dutch troops? Now if the Dutch could do something about the fanatics in their own country, instead of making excuses for them (ie. the murder of Theo Van Gogh), I might be impressed.
There will be a point where the Dutch will have no choice but to fight the Islamofascists in Holland or flee to America.
Ping
Thank you Holand.
Good training for the Dutch future.
What better way to battle harden troops that may have to fight a war in their country for their country?
I can imagine that the various NATO special forces are absolutely champing at the bit to get in on the action.
-ccm
The Spaniards increased their troops in Afghanistan so they won't piss off Bush too much by the early departure in Iraq.
I'm really starting to like the Dutch.
Go Holland. I think they are awake and aware of what they must do
Mark me in the pro-Dutch column; hope this calms down the Islamics they
tolerate in their country.
A lot of people have declared Afghanistan a training ground for jihadis. It's also a training ground for the people who are going to be fighting them. I'm hoping that isn't in Rotterdam but things aren't looking so good.
"Good training for the Dutch future."
Yes, the military if often ahead of the politics.
At least that is how it used to be in Europe.
Now, if only the 2nd rate generals in this country could keep their mouths shut because their favorite artillery or helicopter or whatever piece was cancelled by Rumsfeld, we might be better off.
DogBarkTree, I hope you are right The treatment of Ayaan Hirsi Ali received a little while ago from was a little disconcerting though.
The best way to ensure that there will be people ready, willing, and able to hold civilization together, is to cycle a whole lot through a military that actually sees action
BTTT
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