By GARETH PORTER
For weeks, the U.S. public followed the biggest offensive of the Afghanistan War against what it was told was a "city of 80,000 people" as well as the logistical hub of the Taliban in that part of Helmand. That idea was a central element in the overall impression built up in February that Marja was a major strategic objective, more important than other district centres in Helmand.
It turns out, however, that the picture of Marja presented by military officials and obediently reported by major news media is one of the clearest and most dramatic pieces of misinformation of the entire war, apparently aimed at hyping the offensive as a historic turning point in the conflict.
Counterpunch
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Several hundred foreign fighters are reported to have fought in Marja, including Lashkar e Taiba (Jemmy's friends, who attacked Mumbai in 2008, and participated in mass murder around the world), Chechens and Arabs.
ReplyDeleteThe ANA defeated them.
Notice how Gareth Porter doesn't talk about the ANA. Marja was the biggest operation the Afghan National Army (ANA) has ever launched.
ReplyDeleteanan, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/world/asia/21afghan.html?pagewanted=1
The ANA are not considered to have fought very well
Captain Amanullah, reclining on his cot, saw the deal struck. After the Afghan soldier had taken possession of his Red Bull, the captain ordered him to hand him the can. The captain opened it and took a long drink, then gave what was left to his lieutenant and sergeants, who each had a sip. The last sergeant handed the empty can back to the soldier, and ordered him to throw it away.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Amanullah needs his ass kicked out of the Army.
<span>Just to be clear about the racist Jemmy; he has on this blog snidely implied his support for Haqqani (LeT and Haqqani are linked at the hip and fight through each other in many places.)
ReplyDeleter.s. without reading your article; keep in mind that different ANA units perform differently.
For example, two ANA commando battalions are in Helmand. These are comparable to European special forces in their quality. [As an aside, the only good quality Arab special forces are Iraq's and arguably Jordan's. I don't like what Jordan does; but I have to acknowledge their special forces.]
3-215 Bde also performed well.
On the other hand, 16 to 18 ANA combat companies arrives straight out of boot camp for the Helmand offensive. These green troops leave much to be desired.</span>