U.S. troops told to stop Taliban pursuit if civilians are at risk

Miami Herald/AP ^ | 7-2-09 | Nancy Youssef

[STARWISE]

Beginning Thursday, American soldiers in Afghanistan will be under orders to back down when they're chasing Taliban fighters whenever they think that civilians might be at risk.

Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top commander in Afghanistan, will issue the directive as part of an effort to cut down on civilian casualties, which have enraged the Afghan government and residents. Instead of calling in air support or firing into civilian homes where Taliban fighters have sought refuge, commanders will be instructed to reach out to tribal elders or undertake other efforts to dislodge the fighters.

The order is consistent with what national security adviser James L. Jones told McClatchy Newspapers in Washington Wednesday was President Barack Obama's concern about civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

"General McChrystal has been given instructions when he left here that, in all military operations, that we redouble our efforts to make sure that innocent loss of life is minimized, with zero being the goal," Jones said, noting that, "In one mishap you can create thousands more terrorists than you had before the mishap."

[STARWISE]

"President Barack Obama's concern about civilian casualties in Afghanistan."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taliban hides behind skirts and children. God help and protect our troops.

[STARWISE]

~~PING!

[americanophile]

Is this an intercepted communication from LBJ to Westmoreland?

[Jeff Chandler]

Instead of calling in air support or firing into civilian homes where Taliban fighters have sought refuge, commanders will be instructed to reach out to tribal elders or undertake other efforts to dislodge the fighters.

Uh... okay.

[pappyone]

I would rather hear that Obama was concerned about American troop casualties...

However, I am sure our smart Generals will formulate an effective war plan that gets the job done even with these ROI.

[elpinta]

And at point do the lawyers get inserted?

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

Hadcuffing the troops is no way to win a war. We should have learned this in Vietnam.

[tbpiper]

Taliban hides behind skirts and children.

They can check with the Palestinians if they want expert advise.

[Boonie]

In other news, Barack Obama has ordered the military wear new BDU’s with large red and white concentric circles on the chest and the back...

[BlueNgold]

You cannot run a war like a police action...
Idiots.

[penelopesire]

Oh dear God..this is insanity! It’s bad enough that the order was given..but to broadcast it in ADVANCE..just as we are sending our soldiers into the field?

TREASONOUS!!

[VicVega]

And to be fair, let the Taliban take at least one shot at you before you fire back.

[Logical me]

Will not work. We now have lost the war. Thanks to King Obama and his corrupt stupid Administration.

[Deb]

What a brilliant military tactic! Victory is at hand!

Of course, our guys are accused of killing women and children regardless, but never mind.

[STARWISE]

~~Pray for our troops ..........

[1forall]

undertake other efforts to dislodge the fighters

"Here, tali, tali, tali, tali" "C'mere, tali, tali, tali, tali"

Wonder if Obama's personal Security force will show the same restraint when they come after us?

[STARWISE]

It is! This is a purposeful plan to lose our
advantage and appease the Muslims, injure and
eliminate our dear troops from the battlefield
in the process, and setting the stage for more
devastating attacks here.

God .. help us, save us, protect our heroes.

[gitmogrunt]

Taliban referees will be dressed in white pants and black and white striped shirts, they will throw a yellow flag in the air, and blow a whistle if any rules of engagement are broken.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[wxgesr]

“Wonder if Obama’s personal Security force will show the same restraint when they come after us?”

I used to say the same things, then I realized, I have a different set of values, morals, and rules than they do. The socialist/facist has no qualms about lying/cheating/killing in the forward of progressivism.

So, now I am trying to change the way I think about the approaching battles. I cannot win if I do not fight the way they do.