Article

2003-09-03 Afghanistan

2000 Strong Taliban Force Defies âMopping Upâ Operations In Afghanistan

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2003-09-03 00:26|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 the source of this report is dubious...

at best

Posted by Damn_Proud_American 2003-9-3 1:03:25 AM|| 2003-9-3 1:03:25 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 "19 civilians were martyred in the bombing runs"
JihadUnSpun is very much like referring to NorK as the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Ranks right up there with Al Jizzwadi and ~~Idiotarians~~ Islam OnLine for Truth to Total Fucking Bullshit quotient.

Not Worthy.

Posted by .com 2003-9-3 3:26:12 AM|| 2003-9-3 3:26:12 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 One thing you can count on. If they are reporting that the Taliban are winning, the Taliban are losing badly.

They are much like Izvestia (News) in the old USSR (in News there is no truth...).

Posted by Kathy K 2003-9-3 5:27:03 AM|| [site-essential.com/] 2003-9-3 5:27:03 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 If the mop won't clean them up, get out the old "Napalmolive" and scrub those jihadis away.

Posted by Mike 2003-9-3 6:04:53 AM|| 2003-9-3 6:04:53 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 While showing signs of barbaric behavior, the Afghan National Army burned random houses in the villages in an effort to deter locals from supporting them.

Is this a classic unclear antecedent, or is this actually the point of the Barbaric Afghan National Army's policy?

"I totally support you!"
"Thanks, we'll be burning your home now."
"Err, what do I get for partial support?"

Posted by Mark IV 2003-9-3 8:40:28 AM|| 2003-9-3 8:40:28 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 The source seems overly optimistic about the Taliban prospects. I would not like to be a member of a Taliban unit that is moving to reenforce a force that is cornered in a cave.

The "burning villages" charge is common propoganda that would need confirming by a relaiable source.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-9-3 8:45:28 AM|| 2003-9-3 8:45:28 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 Mark IV - It's "I can shout, don't hear you!" JihadUnSpun Engrish.

Posted by .com 2003-9-3 9:51:25 AM|| 2003-9-3 9:51:25 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 the nuggets in the chaff:

1. Yes theres a big battle going on there, and lots of taliban are concentrated there.

2. The coalition ground forces are mainly afghan, and theyre ANA, rather than warlord militias. US contribution is mainly from the air.

THis is a big test for the ANA. At Tora Bora we relied on militia forces, who let lots of taliban get away. Can the ANA do better than the militias?

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-9-3 11:07:33 AM|| 2003-9-3 11:07:33 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 But there are so many and the mountains are so high!

Posted by Lucky 2003-9-3 12:00:13 PM|| 2003-9-3 12:00:13 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 All the buildings I've ever seen in Afghanistan are stone or adobe. Just how does one burn such a house?

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2003-9-3 12:05:02 PM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2003-9-3 12:05:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Just how does one burn such a [stone|adobe] house?

B83?

Posted by snellenr 2003-9-3 12:16:08 PM|| 2003-9-3 12:16:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 AP says its over, local official says afghan troops count at least 124 Taliban dead. Rest fled to neighboring provinces. Govt in control of province, but 80% of population in province pro-Taliban (this is rural Pashtun area - may well be strongest Taliban support in the country - LH)

Nothing about getting any enemy bigwigs.

A victory for coalition forces, but not decisive. Life goes on.

Meanwhile NYT editorial complains of lack of progress on Kabul-Kandahar road (among other things) while wire services report progress on road continues.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-9-3 2:20:57 PM|| 2003-9-3 2:20:57 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 Don't even mention the NYT as a source anymore. Anything they say has a 80% chance of being spin or completely false.

Posted by Charles 2003-9-3 5:13:03 PM|| 2003-9-3 5:13:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 local official says afghan troops count at least 124 Taliban dead. Rest fled to neighboring provinces.

Given the ruggedness of the terrain and the fact that the Taliban aren't equipped with medevacs, there are going to be lots of amputees among the wounded in their ranks. They'll serve as a warning to potential Taliban recruits that dying isn't necessarily the worst thing that can happen to a jihadi.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-9-3 11:40:37 PM|| 2003-9-3 11:40:37 PM|| Front Page Top

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