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Afghanistan
Zia Lodin left US troops in the lurch
2002-03-11
  • US soldiers returning from the front lines expressed disappointment with one glaring absence: Afghan troops. According to pool reports from Shah-i-kot Valley, the original plan was for US soldiers to pull out after a couple days and be replaced by Afghan troops led by commander Zia Lodin. Zia Lodin and his troops never showed.
    Now we know, don't we? Sure do like those Northern Alliance boys. Tadjiks, Uzbeks, real nice fellows. And Hazaras, too. Don't forget them. Look better every day, in fact.

    Zia Lodin attacked on the first day of the battle with about 400 to 450 men, not expecting to find the large numbers of enemy troops that were in the area. Zia's men were beaten back by a barrage of mortar and artillery fire -- losing three men and suffering 30 wounded. An American soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Stanley L. Harriman, 34, was also killed along with Zia's men. "He didn't suffer from a lack of nobility or bravery," an American spokesman said, referring to Zia. "He suffered from insufficient forces."
    He didn't come back, either, did he? He's probably on his way back right now, though, even as we speak...
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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