While the western forces are getting shunned out in Iraq, Afghanistan is experiencing a splurge in the number of troops deployed by various NATO members. Australia, for one, announced on Monday that it is going to almost double its present number of troops in Afghanistan.
The numbers
According to the Australian President John Howard, the troops will soon number almost 1,000 - doubling up from the current 550. The total Australian deployment in Afghanistan will reach approximately 950 by mid-2007, and will peak at about 1,000 in the middle of 2008, according to Mr Howard.
This also includes 300 special forces. He said the special forces commandos would be sent to Uruzgan province, where a smaller task force operated for a year until last September. These special forces are expected to enhance and maintain security in provincial areas by challenging Taliban attacks. They will also directly support the Australian reconstruction task force.
Other deployments will include air force radar crews in Kandahar, extra logistics and intelligence officers and an increased numbers of security personnel.
The strategy
The troop surge probably comes as a cautionary measure to avoid an Iraq like situation in Afghanistan. NATO realises that the task at hand is not easy and wants to be well prepared. PM Howard said
We have done this against the background of a deterioration in the security environment in southern Afghanistan. We’re not losing the war but we will not win it without renewed and increased effort. I should make it clear that all of the intelligence advice suggests that there is a heightened security risk
He went on to suggest that
There is the distinct possibility of casualties, and that should be understood and prepared for by the Australian public
He further reiterated that last years’ bloody war and increased attacks are not to be forgotten. This year too the Taliban have persistently threatened increased attacks in the form of suicide bombings etc., and this cannot be taken lightly.
The amount of Canadian casualties in 2007 has already reached a whopping 51, with six Canadian soldiers killed over the weekend in the bloodiest single incident for the Nato-led force since 2005.
Via: BBC
