Afghan women found hiding weapons under burqas; 16 detained in weapons sweeps

Associated Press | August 24, 2002

[HAL9000]

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Aug 24, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Coalition forces detained four men after several rocket-propelled grenades were fired at a U.S. special operations forces base in eastern Afghanistan, a U.S. military spokesman said Saturday.

The men were detained Friday night near Asadabad in eastern Kunar province, said Col. Roger King at Bagram air base, the U.S. military headquarters in Afghanistan. A patrol sent to investigate captured the men and recovered a grenade launcher, King said.

In the same area Thursday, coalition forces detained 12 people. King did not release further details.

Forces also uncovered two weapons caches on Friday near Zormat, in Paktika province. The weapons included mortar ammunition, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and anti-personnel mines, King said.

U.S. special operations forces on patrol in the southern province of Zabul on Friday found mortar rounds, five rockets, and grenades for a rocket-propelled launcher in a partially collapsed cave, King said.

In the village of Nariza in Paktia province on Thursday, seven women were found to be carrying nine grenades for a rocket-propelled launcher under their burqas, King said. The weapons were taken away, but the women were not detained, he said.

The weapon recoveries were part of Operation Mountain Sweep, aimed at capturing or killing al-Qaida members and supporters and keeping them out of the area.

The operation, which began Sunday, is roughly comparable to Operation Anaconda, the last major battle in March, when more than 2,000 U.S. and coalition troops forced al-Qaida fighters and their Taliban allies to flee their hide-outs in southeastern Afghanistan.

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[piasa]

In the village of Nariza in Paktia province on Thursday, seven women were found to be carrying nine grenades for a rocket-propelled launcher under their burqas, King said. The weapons were taken away, but the women were not detained, he said.

I think we can safely say that grenades were not for self-defense against muggers and rapists.

[Stirner]

This is an tough, inflammatory situation. I hate the way women are treated in Afghanistan, but it is a deep-seated part of their culture, and will only change slowly, if at all. When ordinary villagers hear about women being searched, they probably will go (even more) nuts. I hope to hell the searches were conducted by women. If an unrelated male (especially a foreigner) goes under some woman's veil, it is a killing offense.

[Savage Beast]

Outlaw burqas.

[meenie]

Vaht else iss under der Burkha?

[grania]

I hate the way women are treated in Afghanistan, but it is a deep-seated part of their culture, and will only change slowly, if at all.

When the troops went into Afghanistan, I thought it would be a relatively quick expedition to get the bad guys, maybe tighten up the Pakistani border, and get out.

We shouldn't be trying to change that culture. If the women use their burquas to hide weapons, well, it kind of indicates how interested they are in Western style reforms. We really shouldn't be trying to change a culture and society that is so different from our own.

[TaxPayer2000]

We really shouldn't be trying to change a culture and society that is so different from our own.

Why not? Clearly there are some cultures and societies that need to be changed for thier own survival.

If you disagree than I suggest you put on a burka, get your ass in that tent, and do exactly as I say before I beat the hell out of you!

[Stirner]

"We really shouldn't be trying to change a culture and society that is so different from our own."

My post did not say we should try change Afghanistan's culture as it relates to the treatment of women. However, I think it will change on its own, over time, due to exposure to other cultures, including our own. My point was, prior to such change, we are unwise to outrage their customs even if we think they are crazy. On the other hand, we must protect ourselves from hidden weapons. Perhaps, if women are hiding weapons under their burkhas, it would be better to keep them away from us rather than to search them (or, if we must, to have them searched by other Afghani women.

[blam]

Do they still bury the wife with the husband when he dies as they once did?

[grania]

Why not? Clearly there are some cultures and societies that need to be changed for their own survival.

If the cultures aren't going to survive on their own, that is just not my problem. Who am I to say our culture is superior? If the culture doesn't survive, something new will evolve.

Right now, I'm more interested in the survival of our culture, under constant attack from illegal immigration, horrible standards in contemporary culture, a lack of business ethics, the ready acceptance of abortion, questions about the quality of education, etc....

We've got a lot of cleaning up to do in the US, without spreading all over the world, changing people who often don't want to be changed.

[norton]

I tend to believe that weapons searchs that turn up RPGs are intended more to preclude being shot at than to change anyone's culture.

There ain't time available to change their culture.

[The Californian]

Wise thought. If this is a common problem, why not address it in a way that is not unncessarily offensive to the Afghani women. Anticipate the problem and resolve it in the easiest way.

Why make unnecessary waves in a country that is already a power keg?

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Is that a rocket in your burqa, or are you just glad to see me?

[TaxPayer2000]

Who am I to say our culture is superior?

It's not a question of superiority, It's knowing the difference between whats right and wrong.

[TADSLOS]

Forced wearing of thong bikinis is a possible solution but offers certain negative visual side effects.