Aid Groups Warn Of Afghan Security Vacuum

U.S. Marines exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter after an operation on Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 18, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ashley E. Santy

Troop Withdrawal: Aid Groups Warn of Afghan Security Vacuum -- Spiegel Online

The looming end of NATO operations in Afghanistan is creating a security vacuum that puts the entire purpose of the international mission at risk. Aid groups may have to scale down their operations, and Berlin is alarmed at US threats of total withdrawal.

The F-16 fighter-bombers thundered toward Afghanistan's Baghlan Province, hurrying to respond to a request for emergency backup. Special forces belonging to the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, had run into trouble during a joint operation with Afghan security forces in the district of Baghlani Jadid.

This was a Saturday two weeks ago and the Afghan security forces were engaged in heavy fighting with the Taliban. The situation was threatening to get out of control. When the Dutch fighter jets reached the area, they immediately dropped two bombs.

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My Comment: These aid groups operate on the ground .... and sometimes in very dangerous areas. These aid groups know what is happening .... and I suspect that they are seeing the Taliban gain ground while the Afghan military and ISAF forces are retreating.