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| Afghanistan |
| British paras sent to hunt down escaped Taliban prisoners |
| 2008-06-18 |
| British troops have been flown into Kandahar to help regain control of the city following last week's jailbreak by hundreds of Taliban fighters. Chinooks carried paratroopers from 3rd Bn, The Parachute Regiment low over rooftops into the city's football stadium. The troopers immediately fanned out into the city to overwhelm the insurgent strongholds that have sprung up since Friday. Ministerial approval was sought for the deployment of British troops into Afghanistan's southern capital for the first time since Special Forces forced the Taliban out of Kandahar in 2001. Senior officers described the operation as a "lock down" to push the insurgents out of the neighbouring Arghandab district. Thousands of Afghan civilians have fled the area since the militants escaped from a prison in Kandahar after a suicide bomb and gun attack. Taliban fighters were reported to have blown up bridges and planted mines yesterday as they awaited a coalition assault. Scores of Taliban are also thought to be heading into the city from Pakistan and other areas of Afghanistan after their leadership called for the retaking of the city that was the movement's spiritual base during its rule from 1996 to 2001. Some officers have referred to the fight as the Taliban's "Tet Offensive" in reference to the 1968 Viet Cong operation that undermined US military authority in Vietnam. By the way, Charlie lost that one. It was the US press that underminded Vietnam. Hundreds of Afghan national army troops have flown into Kandahar air base this week in readiness for an assault. Intelligence sources estimate that at least 400 Taliban are holed up in the city. The men of 3 Para were flown directly from their operation against the Taliban in neighbouring Zabul province. They quickly put in place vehicle check points and stopped cars to look for suspected bombers or escaped prisoners. Something they had years of training doing in Northern Ireland "The main idea is to secure the city and protect the people and the functions of government," said Lt Col Huw Williams, the commanding officer of 3 Para. "There are key areas that we want to secure and identify if the insurgents are defending them. "We are looking at lockdown in Kandahar city and reasserting government control and to reassure the local population. "If the Taliban are grouped together in one place then it is a huge opportunity for us to find them and defeat them where they are. It is going to be tough for our soldiers because it always is in an urban situation." The Paras have been joined by Canadian forces who have responsibility for the Kandahar area. With dozens of coalition fighter aircraft on stand-by, a huge amount of firepower can be brought to bear on enemy targets within minutes, although commanders are wary of causing "collateral damage" to civilians. A number of surveillance aircraft and unmanned drones have also been flying over the city to pinpoint possible Taliban locations. Military sources are satisfied that if the insurgents do make a stand they will be But other sources have warned that Nato forces might have been "enticed" into the city so the Taliban can target them with suicide and roadside bombs. Yeah, we'd never think of that. Yesterday's deployment came after Gordon Brown announced that the British force in Afghanistan would be boosted to more than 8,000 troops, the highest level since operations began in 2001. Taliban militants have launched their most sophisticated attacks in recent months, raiding a five-star hotel in January and opening fire on a televised military parade attended by President Hamid Karzai in April. What'd they do again, open fire from half a mile away wasn't it? |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 Some officers have referred to the fight as the Taliban's "Tet Offensive" in reference to the 1968 Viet Cong operation that undermined US military authority in Vietnam. Apples and oranges comparison. The U.S. kicked enemy butt all over Vietnam. The MSM (a la Walter Cronkite) got all excited about the Tet Offensive and reported doom and gloom and quagmire. Johnson the Democratic President at the time lost his will to win the war despite a significant military loss by the enemy. Four hundred prisoners broke out of prison with the help of other Taliban. This does not rise to the level of widespread attacks all over Afghanistan such as occurred during the Tet Offensive. I don't see this turning into a political capitulation such as occurred in 1968 in the U.S. unless the Democrats get elected in the fall. Hell, they capitualated long ago with regards to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2008-06-18 22:28 |
| #9 #5 All our bases? Posted by: Percy Photer1901 No, it's 'All our "BASE" belong to...'. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #8 They didn't have to. 'Uncle Walter' did their work for them after that. God Damn 'Uncle Walter', His progeny are vast.. but their venue is made pale by comparison, because we who are fully committed have finally joined the battle and are contesting their treasonous Lies here and at other places on the net.. |
| Posted by: RD 2008-06-18 22:18 |
| #8 They didn't have to. 'Uncle Walter' did their work for them after that. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-06-18 17:09 |
| #7 Charles got his little yellow butt kicked bloody in Tet. Never tried it again. |
| Posted by: mojo 2008-06-18 13:18 |
| #6 The Para's have had 40 years of modern urban combat training ala Northern Ireland . The only difference today is the 'PC brigade' which wants kids_gloves_action .. Remove these idiots dictating that policy and Afganistan could be cleared up in 3 years , saving billions of dollar , and bringng that country in line with the 21st century , not the 3rd century . More importantly , relieving the stress and misery extreme Islam causes . For the record , Lt Col Huw Williams is a solid strong commander and has lead some daring raids into the heart of 'Taliban' country . The opening attack on a stronghold during Operation Southern Earthquake springs to mind . |
| Posted by: Mad Eye 2008-06-18 08:45 |
| #5 All our bases? |
| Posted by: Percy Photer1901 2008-06-18 08:27 |
| #4 hmmm yesterday it was a quagmire because the Taliban was hiding in orchards and they had food and cover, now it's a quagmire because they're in the cities. All our base belong to them |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-06-18 08:20 |
| #3 It is going to be tough for our soldiers because it always is in an urban situation.' The proper application of strategic air power can cure this. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-06-18 07:59 |
| #2 Forgot the Warrenpoint link |
| Posted by: phil_b 2008-06-18 00:27 |
| #1 The Paras were subject to the wosrt know IED attack, preIraq in Warrenpoint, N. Ireland. I am not sure if a attack in Iraq or Ghan has resulted in more coalition more casualties. The expression 'Send in the Paras' means the situation is serious and requires the hard men. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2008-06-18 00:23 |