'We must convince our people that the Taliban are no longer a threat'
By Gethin Chamberlain in Masum Gar, Kandahar, Sunday Telegraph 17/12/2006
Article Link
Five years after the fall of the Taliban, the Afghan army is embroiled in a fight to the death with the supporters of the deposed regime.
In the hills to the west of Kandahar city, soldiers are building a network of gun emplacements, observation posts and strong points in an attempt to prevent the resurgent Taliban from regaining control of an area that remains its heartland.
In recent weeks, with the help of Canadian troops and special forces, they have been fighting a series of skirmishes against the hundreds of Taliban fighters pouring back into Kandahar.
The Afghan National Army has been growing in strength since it was established in 2002. Initially trained by US special forces, recruits are now sent to Kabul for training before being formed into kandaks (battalions) of about 600 men – of which there are now 57, serving around the country. Most of the men come from the Kabul area or from the north, the base of the Northern Alliance which helped topple the Taliban regime. At the rocky outcrop of Masum Gar, there are meant to be about 300 Afghan troops, though their numbers are regularly depleted as soldiers go on leave, are seconded to other missions or simply go absent without leave.
More on link
By Gethin Chamberlain in Masum Gar, Kandahar, Sunday Telegraph 17/12/2006
Article Link
Five years after the fall of the Taliban, the Afghan army is embroiled in a fight to the death with the supporters of the deposed regime.
In the hills to the west of Kandahar city, soldiers are building a network of gun emplacements, observation posts and strong points in an attempt to prevent the resurgent Taliban from regaining control of an area that remains its heartland.
In recent weeks, with the help of Canadian troops and special forces, they have been fighting a series of skirmishes against the hundreds of Taliban fighters pouring back into Kandahar.
The Afghan National Army has been growing in strength since it was established in 2002. Initially trained by US special forces, recruits are now sent to Kabul for training before being formed into kandaks (battalions) of about 600 men – of which there are now 57, serving around the country. Most of the men come from the Kabul area or from the north, the base of the Northern Alliance which helped topple the Taliban regime. At the rocky outcrop of Masum Gar, there are meant to be about 300 Afghan troops, though their numbers are regularly depleted as soldiers go on leave, are seconded to other missions or simply go absent without leave.
More on link
