Growing Worries That The Capital of Helmand Province In Afghanistan Is About To Fall To The Taliban

BBC

Threat Matrix: Helmand capital ‘practically besieged’ by the Taliban

A recent article from The New York Times on the deteriorating security situation in Helmand province highlights the limits and failure of US military policy in Afghanistan. In a nutshell, the Obama administration has decided to draw down US forces to 8,400 troops by the end of 2016, rely more on air power and special operations forces to support Afghan troops and provide military advisors to Afghan units. The Afghan Army and police is then to bear the brunt of the fighting – though they are by all accounts largely unprepared to do so.

In certain instances, this has worked. For instance, US special operations forces and airpower were critical in the retaking of Kunduz from the Taliban, which fell to the group for two weeks in September 2015.

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More News On The Battle For The Afghan Province of Helmand

Afghanistan: Helmand Capital May Fall To Taliban -- SKY News
Afghan officials raise alarm as Taliban gain in Helmand province -- Reuters
Thousands flee fierce fighting in Afghanistan's Helmand -- Al Jazeera
Afghan soldiers and Taliban suffer casualties amid tense situation in Helmand -- Khaama Press
Airstrikes Barely Holding Off Taliban in Helmand, Afghan Officials Say -- New York Times