January 18, 2019
By Kyle Rempfer
...If the change indeed goes through, (click here) it would come after the bloodiest year for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since the previous drawdown in 2014, when the U.S.-led coalition shifted to an advisory role under NATO’s Resolute Support mission.
The death toll has been matched with increased airstrikes against insurgent forces that rival all other years on record. The bombing was a component of Trump’s South Asia Strategy, a plan designed to drive the Taliban to the negotiating table through a mix of international pressure and kinetic operations....
With increased airstrikes came increase in civilian deaths caused by war. The suicide attacks were against civilian people for the continued presence of the USA. When there is an escalation in war, there is always retribution against civilians in the Middle East. The people are used as pawns in a very disturbing game of killing. Killing isn't the answer to war, peace negotiations are.
Where is any strategy going to go with simply killing people? How many have to die to satisfy a pathetic terrorist attempt at a coupe? There is no other way for the Taliban or Daesh to register an impact when their own die. They have no major weapons as do the USA and the Afghanistan government, but, they have fear of dying among the people. That is how they turn the tide on the Afghan government. It is what inspires Green on Blue Attacks (click here).
The USA military likes to say talks about leaving Afghanistan only makes the war worse. Not. The increase of attacks on the Taliban increases the blood spilled by civilians.
Since Trump was sworn into office the civilian deaths have escalated.
By Karen McVeigh
Civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan (click here) from explosive weapons rose by more than a third last year, against a downward trend globally, according to a survey seen by the Guardian.
Most of the 4,260 civilians killed or injured in explosions in the country in 2018 – up from 3,119 in 2017 – were victims of suicide attacks, found a report by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).
Globally, however, the picture was different. The report recorded a total of 22,335 civilian deaths and injuries from the use of explosive weapons in 2018, compared with 31,904 the previous year, suggesting civilian casualties fell by about a third. There was also a 26% decrease in attacks recorded on populated areas around the world.
In total, 78% of civilians casualties recorded in Afghanistan were caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) – 62% in suicide attacks, AOAV found. Civilian casualties caused by Isis explosives in Afghanistan rose by 90% compared with the year before. The number of civilian casualties from airstrikes almost doubled, from 238 in 2017 to 463 last year. The report attributed the increase – which the organisation said was probably underestimated, given that not all casualties are reported – to the US conducting a greater number of strikes aimed at the increased military presence....
...The overall decrease in civilian casualties worldwide was largely due to the short-term defeat of Isis in Iraq and Syria, Overton said, as well as the decline of Boko Haram in Nigeria....
January 5, 2019
New Delhi - Russia, Wednesday (click here) said India's role in Afghanistan is "indispensable" and complimented it for carrying out various developmental initiatives.
...The overall decrease in civilian casualties worldwide was largely due to the short-term defeat of Isis in Iraq and Syria, Overton said, as well as the decline of Boko Haram in Nigeria....
January 5, 2019
New Delhi - Russia, Wednesday (click here) said India's role in Afghanistan is "indispensable" and complimented it for carrying out various developmental initiatives.
The comments by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov about India's engagement in the war-ravaged country came days after US President Donald Trump mocked New Delhi's role in Afghanistan.
The minister, currently visiting India, was also critical of the US and some other countries for their tendency to display "raw power" in some cases, without thinking of the consequences.
"In all countries, where we see domestic conflicts, the issue of development is the number one issue. Wars can be won, but peace cannot be ensured without any material investment into economic development, social stability," he said in response to a question on India's role in rebuilding of Afghanistan.
Indian efforts and that of other countries in the area of material support to Afghanistan is an "indispensable one," Sergei Ryabkov said at a press conference....
