The Afghan Army Is Losing The War Against The Taliban In A Key District

Image from The New York Times

Afghan Army Struggles In District Under Siege -- New York Times

SANGIN, Afghanistan — Some days, the Afghan soldiers worry that the mud walls around their headquarters in this embattled district are barely enough to keep the Taliban out. Perhaps more problematic is that the crumbling facade appears to be keeping the soldiers in.

Nolay Base takes direct fire almost every day from the Taliban. With more forces lost here than almost any other district in the country, the Afghan soldiers seldom leave the installation, and mostly refuse to conduct missions — too dangerous, they say. And when soldiers head out to go on brief home leaves, a growing number of them desert rather than return, their commanders say.

“It’s difficult to find local people who are against the Taliban,” said the executive officer of the brigade here, Col. Abdulhai Neshat. “This place is like a prison.”

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My Comment: As the Afghan army continues the fight against the Taliban .... NATO bases are being dismantled and international forces are preparing to leave. As to what is my take on this evolving situation .... I am personally in favor of this withdrawal .... the Afghan conflict is no longer our war.