The “New York Times” is reporting that farmers from the district of Marja, which since February has been the focus of the largest American-led military operation in Afghanistan, are fleeing the area, “saying that the Taliban are terrorizing the population and that American troops cannot protect the civilians.”
Additionally, the Taliban area already killing all in the Kandahar area who might work with the allies.
This can fit the category of “unintended consequences” or fallout of premature announcement of war plans.
I thought it was stupid when the “coalition”” – read U.S. command – announced far in advance their war plans.
New York Times, May 17, 2010, “Taliban Hold Sway In Area Taken By U.S., Farmers Say,” by Carlotta Gall, reports: “The departure of the farmers is one of the most telling indications that Taliban fighters have found a way to resume their insurgency three months after thousands of troops invaded this Taliban stronghold (Marja) in the opening foray of a campaign to take control of southern Afghanistan. Militants have been infiltrating back into the area and the prospect of months of more fighting is undermining public morale, residents and officials said.”
It doesn’t take a military genius to have predicted that this would happen.
