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Afghanistan
Taliban Militants Estimated at 35,000
2011-02-10
[Tolo News] There are approximately 35,000 Talibs all over Afghanistan, Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
There used to be about 8,000 more, but that was then.
While emphasising on doing a proper survey, Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Gen. Azimi, said there are roughly 25 to 35,000 Taliban recruits all over the country.

"We estimate the number of Taliban snuffies at 25 to 35,000, but this is not established and is just a guess," said Gen. Azimi.

The Ministry of Defence classifies the Taliban into three groups: The first are the ones fighting against the government and foreign forces, the second are those who are "hired" to continue the fight and the third are those who only fight in exchange for money.

Meanwhile,
...back at the ranch...
Gen. Azimi claimed that the Afghan forces are able to undertake security responsibility for the country.

A commission comprised of Afghans and foreigners has recently been set up to be in charge of the transition process.

Ministry of Defence wants security transition to be started from partially insecure areas.

"The areas in Afghanistan should be categorised in low-level, medium level and high level insecurity, and the transition should begin from medium level," Gen. Azimi said.

The Ministry of Defence claims to be ready to undertake security responsibility, but emphasises that international community should stick to its commitments and equip the Afghan cops.
Posted by:Fred

#3   How many of the hardcore are Afghans? The question is a little off the mark. The only belief that seems to unite Afghans is involved with banding together to fight foreign troops on their soil. Unless those foreign troops are Jihadis, of course.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418   2011-02-10 13:50  

#2  There's a fair participation and a lot of support among the Pashtun Afghans.
Posted by: lotp   2011-02-10 13:30  

#1  How many of the hardcore are Afghans?They strike me as hired help and those who only fight in exchange for money.

The hardcore ones are the Pakis,Chechen and Arabs who think they are fighting for Allah!
Posted by: Paul   2011-02-10 12:34  

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