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The Pentagon said the Taliban have regrouped after its initial fall from power and have coalesced into a resilient insurgency. (Google photo) |
CAIRO — The Taliban have regrouped after its initial fall from power by the US invasion and have coalesced into a resilient insurgency, according to a Pentagon report cited by the Washington Post on Saturday, June 28.
"The Taliban regrouped after its fall from power and have coalesced into a resilient insurgency," said the report.
"It now poses a challenge to the Afghan government's authority in some rural areas."
The "Report on Progress toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan" said the Taliban have stepped up attacks despite efforts of the US-led forces to kill or capture its leaders.
"The Taliban is likely to maintain or even increase the scope and pace of its terrorist attacks and bombings in 2008."
In the latest sign of the movement's growing might, hundreds of Taliban fighters swarmed on Tuesday, June 17, into Arghandab district near the strategic city of Kandahar, taking over a number of villages in their way.
The Taliban were ousted by US-led forces in 2001 shortly after the 9/11 attacks for harboring top Al-Qaeda leaders.
Since then, Taliban has been engaged in protracted guerrilla warfare against foreign forces and the West-backed government of Hamid Karzai.
A recent report by the Senlis Council said Taliban has permanent presence in more than half of Afghanistan.
Complex
The report said Taliban are not the only challenge, as a "more complex, adaptive insurgency" is developing in the east "from warlords, criminals and drug dealers.
"The power of these entities is increasingly challenged by the growing competence of local and national government."
The Pentagon said these groups have joined hands against foreign forces with "insurgents" changing their tactics, launching deadly attacks against foreign forces.
"The success of Afghan and international forces in military engagements has led insurgents to increase asymmetric attacks," it said.
"As such, [improvised explosive device] attacks are on the rise. IED incidents reached a high of 2,615 incidents in 2007, up from 1,931 in 2006."
A senior defense official said the use of roadside bombs increased more than 40 percent in eastern Afghanistan during the first half of this year.
The report cited a number of problems facing progress in Afghanistan, including corruption, the illegal poppy trade, human rights abuses and slow progress in reconstruction.
It said there was no comprehensive strategy to combat the illegal poppy trade in Afghanistan.
"There is a clear nexus between narcotics and the insurgency in Afghanistan that threatens US gains in Afghanistan and the region."
The Pentagon report painted a pessimistic assessment of the Afghan security forces.
It said only one Afghan army battalion and a headquarters unit can operate independently without the help of foreign forces.
Development of the Afghan police is taking longer and has been hindered by "corruption, insufficient US military trainers and advisers, and a lack of unity of effort within the international community."
The Afghan Army is scheduled to reach a strength of 70,000 by the end of this year, with an ultimate goal of 80,000 soldiers.
"However, at this point in time, a lack of US military trainers and mentors available for police mentor teams precludes the acceleration or expansion of the training program."
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