PING!
Posted on 09/24/2006 4:24:53 PM PDT by Clive
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - The end of summer often brings more calm to Afghanistan, but the weekend start of a Muslim holy month combined with a Taliban intent on revenge may bring a spike in violence for Canadian soldiers.
Canadian troops are still days away from the end of September, already their deadliest month in Afghanistan since their presence in the country began in 2002.
Last spring, military officials predicted an upsurge in violence as temperatures rose into the traditional Afghan summer season for battle.
Twenty of Canada's 37 deaths in Afghanistan took place in the summer of 2006, including nine in September.
With summer gone and the traditional fighting season over, many Afghans predict a lull in violence. Canadian officials do not, coming on the heels of the defeat they dealt Taliban forces in Operation Medusa just west of Kandahar.
The weekend start of Ramadan, a Muslim religious month of fasting and contemplation, adds another unpredictable element to the mix.
"I don't think it's so much Ramadan, I more see the fact the Taliban lost in Pashmul and they now need to go out and attempt a victory," said Maj. Todd Scharlach, the officer in charge of Canadian operations in the area.
"We are going to see a reversion back to terrorist activities over the next little while."
In Iraq, U.S. commanders predicted an upsurge of violence to accompany the daylight fast of devout Muslims.
NATO and Canadian commanders in Afghanistan offered no such warnings but many Afghans are bracing for an immediate spike in suicide attacks followed by a winter lull.
"I fear the attacks will increase this month because some people think if they die this month, they will go to paradise," said Haji Abdul Satar, a 47-year-old general store owner.
"There will definitely be suicide attacks, and there might even be more war."
However, Satar and other Afghans said dipping fall temperatures and the end of Ramadan in late October will bring more tranquility than Kandahar has seen in months.
"Summer has gone and again the Taliban are hidden in different places," he said. "Most people think that as summer goes, the Taliban will go too."
Ghani Jaan, a 31-year-old officer in the Afghan army, explained that cold winter nights make it impossible for insurgents to hide out in the mountainous Afghan countryside. Instead, they retreat to hideouts in Pakistan and along the border.
"As everybody knows, summer is over and the Taliban will become quiet," added Abdul Hanan, a taxi driver.
"Before summer, the Taliban announced they would increase attacks, and they did. Now, we're not quite sure what their plans are. We do hope in this great month, there will be some peace and quiet."
Purported Taliban spokesmen have threatened that thousands of suicide attackers will flood Kandahar during Ramadan. They've made similar massive threats many times before.
Nineteen Afghan construction labourers were killed in an ambush on Saturday, the very first day of Ramadan in Afghanistan. Thirty-five Taliban and an Afghan police officer were killed in firefights.
While in power, the Taliban punished Afghans who failed to observe Ramadan fasting. The militia was ousted from power by the United States in 2001 for harboring Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Five years later, Afghanistan is experiencing a dramatic upsurge in violence. Hundreds have died in fighting, bomb attacks and other violence so far this year.
Earlier this month Canadian soldiers led a major offensive into the Panjwaii district where NATO said hundreds of Taliban had massed and dug in defences.
Hundreds of Taliban were killed in fighting and bombardment along with five Canadians and 15 other troops. The Taliban issued a statement shortly afterward admitting they were retreating to regroup.
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The media, including the American media, seems to be cheering against us.
PING!
LOL!
To put it in perspective, the Taliban lost between 1500 and 3000 terrorists this month. Since when do we mourn worse than WWII over less than a dozen per month? These heroes are the cost of Freedom.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
You noticed that too, eh?
Yeah, its real subtle ain't it? If you just read headlines you would think Americans are the only ones losing troops.
Not just that,...
They say we are losing the war.
It's a lie.
I love it. The Taliban are launching thier equivalent of an offensive but getting massacred by the thousands, and what is the MSM reporting?!? "A strong resurgance in the Taliban." In fact it was the story the "unbiased" Ms. Couric broadcast her first night on the air. Hey, even the Taliban need cheerleaders, right? Go Katie, go Katie, go!! EXTREME sarc
Every report i've read indicates the Canadians massively kicked ass, killing thousands of taliban. While 37 is not insignificant, they did an awesome job of taking it to the enemy. God rest the souls of our lost warriors, thank you for your sacrifice.
Just a technical view of the article: The ONLY numbers mentioned refer to Canadian dead. There is not a single number referral to the number of dead AQ or Taliban, a number orders of magnitude greater.
Well, while the Tallywackers are back in Pakistan nursing their wounds and having ill-attended madrassas reunions, I imagine the coalition forces will be using the winter lull to their great advantage and preparing thoroughly for spring.
Hopefully they will pass out lots of "one-button" cellphones, so all *anyone* will have to do when the bad guyz return is to push a button, then hide the cellphone. And since anybody could have one, who's to know to finked them out?
I think Ramadam is a great time to launch a new offensive myself.
When will the media start with the 'brutal Afghani winters' mantra?
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