Taliban Makes Gains Against Afghan Government
Summary:
Stratfor sources have confirmed reports from a Web site maintained by Muslim jihadists that the Taliban has regained control of most of Zabul province in southeastern Afghanistan. This marks the first time that Taliban fighters - in concert with al Qaeda forces - have retaken a province since being ousted from power by the U.S. military in November 2001. It also underscores the stalemate between the U.S.-backed Afghan forces and the Taliban.
Analysis:
After months of cat-and-mouse battles in various districts, Taliban forces appear to have wrested control of almost all of Zabul from the provincial Afghan militias. Stratfor sources have confirmed the advance, which initially was reported (by Daily Islam). The reported seizure of the strategically important southeastern province, which lies along the border with Pakistan, marks the first time that the Taliban has been able to regain control of a province since being ousted from power by the U.S. military in November 2001.
The advance also underscores the stalemate between the United States and its Afghan allies against the Taliban, and it indicates that the alliance formed in early 2002 between the Taliban, al Qaeda and Hizb-i-Islami - the party led by Afghan war lord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar - is paying off for the militants.
Zabul is of strategic and military importance for a number of reasons. First, taking Zabul cuts off U.S. troops stationed to the south in Kandahar from the bulk of U.S. troops located to the north toward Kabul.
Second, given that Helmand and Oruzgan provinces to the north of Zabul already are Taliban strongholds, the group can better try to isolate U.S. and local provincial troops in Kandahar and eventually attempt to retake Kandahar as well.
Third, controlling Zabul gives the Taliban a way to cut lines of logistics, troop supply and communication between! U.S. and coalition troops in Kandahar and in Paktika and Paktia provinces to the east and along the border with Pakistan.
http://www.jwebs.org/mpn/article.php?sid=434&mode=thread&order=0
Summary:
Stratfor sources have confirmed reports from a Web site maintained by Muslim jihadists that the Taliban has regained control of most of Zabul province in southeastern Afghanistan. This marks the first time that Taliban fighters - in concert with al Qaeda forces - have retaken a province since being ousted from power by the U.S. military in November 2001. It also underscores the stalemate between the U.S.-backed Afghan forces and the Taliban.
Analysis:
After months of cat-and-mouse battles in various districts, Taliban forces appear to have wrested control of almost all of Zabul from the provincial Afghan militias. Stratfor sources have confirmed the advance, which initially was reported (by Daily Islam). The reported seizure of the strategically important southeastern province, which lies along the border with Pakistan, marks the first time that the Taliban has been able to regain control of a province since being ousted from power by the U.S. military in November 2001.
The advance also underscores the stalemate between the United States and its Afghan allies against the Taliban, and it indicates that the alliance formed in early 2002 between the Taliban, al Qaeda and Hizb-i-Islami - the party led by Afghan war lord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar - is paying off for the militants.
Zabul is of strategic and military importance for a number of reasons. First, taking Zabul cuts off U.S. troops stationed to the south in Kandahar from the bulk of U.S. troops located to the north toward Kabul.
Second, given that Helmand and Oruzgan provinces to the north of Zabul already are Taliban strongholds, the group can better try to isolate U.S. and local provincial troops in Kandahar and eventually attempt to retake Kandahar as well.
Third, controlling Zabul gives the Taliban a way to cut lines of logistics, troop supply and communication between! U.S. and coalition troops in Kandahar and in Paktika and Paktia provinces to the east and along the border with Pakistan.
http://www.jwebs.org/mpn/article.php?sid=434&mode=thread&order=0
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