The Taliban were supposed to have disappeared from Afghanistan 18 months ago, but in recent weeks they have begun a comeback with a series of primitive but deadly attacks on officials and the government's military allies. Last week a suicide bomber blew up an explosives-filled taxi next to a bus full of German peacekeepers in Kabul, killing four of them. It was the deadliest attack on the international forces in Afghanistan so far.
In his response to the incident Mr Karzai claimed that the Taliban had been "completely defeated". But the evidence suggests otherwise: 40 Taliban fighters were killed this month in a gun battle with government troops near Kandahar, and in the same area the Taliban recently killed a Red Cross worker and an Italian tourist.
A former Taliban fighter, who did not want to be identified, denied to the Guardian that the Taliban were regrouping. He complained bitterly about Mr Karzai's government, which is dominated by Tajiks, and said it discriminated against the Pashtun majority. There was no security, and some women were even taking off their burkas. "According to Islam women should cover up when they go to the bazaar," he said, adding: "I'm prepared to die for my beliefs."
Ordinary Afghans too are becoming resentful of the 11,500 soldiers - mostly American - still in their country, hunting for Taliban and al-Qaida suspects.
UN officials have watched the behaviour of the US forces in Afghanistan with increasing dismay, and say that it is frequently reckless. "This doesn't help us at all," one said. "The people are basically pro-America. They want US forces to be here. But American soldiers are not very culturally sensitive. It's hardly surprising that Afghans get angry when the Americans turn up and kick their doors in."
No comments:
Post a Comment