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Afghanistan
France to withdraw special forces from Afghanistan
2006-12-18
KABUL - French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie who is a woman announced Sunday that France would withdraw hundreds of its special forces from Afghanistan within the next few weeks. “We’ll pull our special forces out of Afghanistan in the coming weeks,” Alliot-Marie told reporters during her visit to the Afghan capital Kabul.

She was referring to some 200 French special forces stationed in eastern Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, aimed at hunting down Taleban fighters in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. France has deployed a total of 2,000 troops in Afghanistan, with the remainder serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Seven members of the French special forces have been killed in action in the war-ravaged country, while 12 others have been wounded since their deployment. The French special forces contingent is currently based in eastern Nangarhar province.
I appreciate the work the French special forces have been doing. Wonder if Alliot-Marie (and by extension, Dominique de Villepin who is a man) simply isn't willing to put French forces at risk in any way. That sure does seem to be what it looks like.
I guess, in the French view today, that's why they're called Special Forces.
Posted by:Steve White

#5  indeed v. funny

On a side note , one shouldnt mock the French SF , I have had the pleasure of working alongside them in the late 70's and they have nothing but my respect , even if their political masters are a bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys
Posted by: MacNails   2006-12-18 11:39  

#4  OMG that was funny.
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-12-18 11:07  

#3  The onion has it covered!
Posted by: CrazyFool   2006-12-18 10:56  

#2  lol
Posted by: Excalibur   2006-12-18 10:38  

#1  Or perhaps Very Special Forces?
"The soldiers know they are not to wander off from the group. They know they are to use inside voices when in enemy territory. And they know they are to go to the bathroom prior to all ground assaults. This group is ready."

Posted by: exJAG   2006-12-18 05:41  

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