Taliban readies Ramadan offensive

[bemildred]

Source: al Jazeera

The Taliban says it is launching a major Ramadan offensive amid claims by US and Pakistani forces that they have killed about 75 suspected fighters of the anti-government group.

And for the first time, the Taliban claims to control a large area north of Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

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Al Jazeera filmed a group of about 50 Taliban fighters travelling unhindered in NowRoz-Abad, in Tagab.

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Fields of hashish

The fighters scanned the main road in the distance and then began to move through fields of hashish to take up their position.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/71E72AE4-CB59-4725-8798-4D11A1C76573.htm

[seriousstan]

1. Any report on how their noble spring offensive went? How about their holy tet offensive?

I remember hearing them announce they were coming, much like this.

[pampango]

2. You beat me to it. It seemed like all winter the Taliban was predicting

a massive offensive in the spring when the snows melted. Maybe they had a cold summer and the snows never melted in Afghanistan.

In many circles, including in segments of our country, talking big carries a certain prestige, even if your actions never quite match your words. I suppose if your whole strategy is to scare people, and you are not really doing much, you have to at least talk about all of the scary deeds you have planned for the future. Otherwise what are you good for. Maybe your words will still scare a few people.

[Spazito]

4. The taliban and war lords control most of Afghanistan

the "mayor of Kabul" can't even walk around Kabul itself without mercenaries ensuring his security. Afghanistan is a failure, it is just that it is not in your
news.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/08/22/soldier-killed.html

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/07/23/afghan-soldiers.html

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/07/23/afghan-soldiers.html

There are more links but I think these are enough to make my point.

[tabasco]

5. But Bush said the Taliban was destroyed!

How can they even be threatening offensives if they are "no more"?????? Surely the Commander Guy wouldn't lie to his loyal followers (you one?), would he?

"We sent a clear message to the Taliban in Afghanistan: if you harbor and train terrorists, you will be held account. The Taliban is no more, and the people of Afghanistan are free, thanks to America and our friends and allies."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/06/20030619-2.html

[bemildred]

7. Mud wrestling is never a very clean process:

Canadian Forces launch new Afghan offensive

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Canadian Forces launched their biggest combat operation in more than a month early Saturday, pushing into the Zhari district of Kandahar province to clear the way for Afghan security forces to reclaim recently lost ground.

Canadian troops exchanged fire with the Taliban and encountered a number of improvised explosive devices, said Lt.-Col. Claude Fournier, Canada's chief of operations here.

However, no Canadian soldiers were killed or seriously injured in the early stages of Operation Khar Khowhai -- Keeping Goodwill.

Fournier added a small number of Taliban were killed in the clashes, but he could not say how many.

I thought calling it Operation Keeping Goodwill was a particularly nice touch.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=953abe47-e3fc-432a-bd39-91a520594a83&k=96691

[Traveling_Home]

3. "fields of hashish" - WTF????????? /nt

[bemildred]

6. Yeah, you know, the hashish plant, grows all over Afghanistan. nt

[ohio2007]

8. What significance does the Ramadan rituals have to do with these holy men?

just another month to exploit the followers of Islam into earning frequent flyer miles to heaven

[varun]

9. The offensive has already started

but it wasnt reported by US media.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6993910.stm

Pakistan bomb kills elite troops

At least 15 soldiers have been killed in a suspected suicide bombing at an army base south of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Most of the victims were officers from an elite counter-terrorism force, the Special Services Group, a military spokesman said.

Violence has soared in Pakistan since troops ousted radical Islamists from Islamabad's Red Mosque in July.

Troops based at the barracks were part of the raid against the mosque...