Winter Offensive By The Taliban In Afghanistan Is Now Expected

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jesse Lopez (left) and Lance Cpl. Brian Perez (right) conduct a dismounted patrol through the village outside of the forward operating base in the Bala Baluk District, Farah Province, Afghanistan, on July 25, 2008. Lopez and Perez are both assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. DoD photo by Cpl. Jason T. Guiliano, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

U.S. Expects Afghan Violence to Worsen
-- Wall Street Journal

U.S. commanders in Afghanistan say they expect the Taliban to launch a winter offensive, a move that could bring bloodshed during a time of year that historically has been relatively peaceful.

Since the U.S. invasion in 2001, violence in Afghanistan has usually tracked the country's seasons, decreasing during the harsh winter months and then resuming in the spring. This year is shaping up differently, with the U.S. picking up indications that militants who normally spend the winter months training in Pakistan are instead preparing to remain in Afghanistan, staying in position to launch attacks there.

"I do think there will be an increase in violence by the enemy in order to maintain a general sense of insecurity," said Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, deputy commander of the U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan. "The winter fighting season this year will be more violent than in previous years."

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My Comment: A major strike by the Taliban in the winter months will bring a new level of insurgency and conflict for Afghanistan. With mass hunger now looming for most of Afghanistan this winter, a humanitarian crisis is now on the horizon.