[ssf] Fw: Troops need to 'hold ground' against Taliban after triumph

Sun Feb 14 13:20:16 UTC 2010

Troops need to 'hold ground' against Taliban after triumph in Operation Moshtarak, says Ainsworth 

By Christopher Leake
Last updated at 12:17 PM on 14th February 2010

The biggest offensive against the Taliban since hostilities began in Afghanistan has been a success but troops must now 'hold the ground', Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said today.
Two allied soldiers, including one Briton, died in the first day's fighting in Operation Moshtarak.
Mr Ainsworth told BBC News: 'The operation is going well. The big test is whether or not we can hold the ground and provide security for the people who live there.'

He admitted some Afghans would 'hedge their bets' until they were sure the Taliban had lost control.
He said: 'Over the coming months can we show them we intend to stay, that the Afghan government intends to stay.'
A British soldier, from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died yesterday while on patrol in a Jackal armoured patrol vehicle in the Taliban stronghold of Nad-e-Ali, Helmand province, hours after the operation began under cover of darkness.
He was the 258th British soldier to die since hostilities began in 2001. His next of kin have been informed and he is likely to be named later today.

An American soldier was killed by small arms fire as he took part in the air and ground assault, designed to clear the insurgents from their heartland.
Nato said a further three US soldiers were killed in bombings elsewhere  in Afghanistan. 
Britain has committed 4,000 troops to Operation Moshtarak - 'togetherness' in the local Dari language - which is seen as the acid test of Barack Obama's strategy to remove the Taliban from its remaining strongholds and hand over control to the Afghan people.
At least 20 Taliban died during the operation in firefights with Nato troops and another 11 were captured along with Kalashnikov rifles, heavy machine guns and grenades.

Mr Ainsworth and UK military commanders had warned before the operation that they expected casualties as they entered Taliban strongholds.
Lieutenant-Colonel Matt Bazeley, who is in Afghanistan commanding 28 Engineer Regiment, described the area as 'the heart of darkness'.
The dead British soldier was among 15,000 US, UK, Danish, Estonian and Afghan troops who swept in a pincer movement on the Helmand province areas of Marjah and Nad-e-Ali in a dawn raid aimed at clearing the Taliban from their remaining positions.
The assault started at 2am yesterday, with US and British helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft attacking known Taliban positions. US Apache helicopters fired Hellfire missiles at targets, but the British forces are thought not to have bombed the enemy in order to avoid civilian casualties.
By 2.30am, the air strikes were complete and were followed by troops - including British soldiers from the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards and the Royal Welsh Regiment - being flown in to mount a ground assault.
Around 1,200 British troops took control of an area of compounds and fields surrounded by canals and muddy tracks with little resistance from the Taliban. A further 2,800 UK soldiers were on standby to move in if required.
Most of the insurgents, who numbered up to 1,000 a week ago, had fled the area after Nato warned they were to mount a major offensive, leaving only a hard core of diehards to fight against the heavily-armed allied soldiers. The majority of locals had also fled, mainly to nearby Lashkar Gah.
As the attack got underway, sources on the ground described hearing a series of control-led explosions as advance troops picked their way through minefields and booby-trapped routes on the way to the Helmand town of Marjah. 

U.S. Cobra helicopters and Harrier jets fired missiles at bunkers and tunnels before exchanging fire with Taliban fighters.
Progress was careful due to booby-traps and minefields. Marines had to build substitute bridges over a canal leading into the town as the main bridge was so heavily trapped with mines.
'I did get an adrenaline rush, and that bridge is wobbly,' Lance Corporal Ivan Meza, 19, said after he was one of the first to cross a substitute bridge.
Locals reported seeing Taliban fighters abandon the route as the Marines approached.
'They left with their motorcycles and their guns. They went deeper into town,' a shopkeeper was reported as saying as Marines searched a poppy field next to his house for mines.

British troops were told not to follow obvious tracks as they made their way into town to reduce the risk of improvised explosive devices.
British forces are set to start a 'consolidation phase' today in an area north of Marjah.
Last night, British Forces Afghanistan spokesman Major General Gordon Messenger said the first stage of the operation had gone 'as well as it could have done'.
But he warned Nato military chiefs were under no illusion that the Taliban might return in a matter of days. Gen Messenger added that 'low numbers' of insurgents were killed during the attacks, but that efforts by British troops in an area known as the Chah-e-Anjir Triangle had been successful.
The British soldiers are among 15,000 troops mobilized for the operation, the largest offensive since the US-led coalition invaded Afghanistan in October 2001

He said: 'There's no complacency. Everyone understands this is the easy bit. The hard bit is what comes next in reassuring the local community. This is all about winning the allegiance of the population. That allegiance is not won in a day. It must be won over time.'
Gen Messenger said the Marjah region was pivotal, and unless coalition forces could demonstrate such volatile districts then troops would be unable to move to the next level of the campaign.
As the operation continued Foreign Secretary David Miliband said it was 'premature' to discuss when British troops could withdraw from Afghanistan.
Asked if the progress of the training of the Afghan National Army and the operation's initial success could mean soldiers may be able to return home as early as next year, he told Sky News Sunday Live: 'I think that two days into this operation it's premature to start talking in that terms.

'The allegiance of the local population is won over months and not over days but what has clearly happened is we are in a decisive year in the Afghan campaign and Helmand province is a decisive province and this part of Helmand province is a decisive centre.

'It is, if you like, the nerve centre of the insurgency and of the narcotics industry. That's what explains the very high degree of planning that has gone into this operation.
'I think that as regards British troops it would be quite wrong to come on this programme and make glib promises.
'What we always say is that British troops are making a huge difference on the ground.
'We mourn the loss of another soldier yesterday and we grieve with his family and with his friends.

'Equally, we say, we want to get troops home as soon as it's safe for them to do so. That is why we point out that the training up of the ANA is so significant, why the creation of a political process in which the Afghans believe is so significant and why we also say that keeping out Al Qaida is in all of our interests.'
Last night, Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the lost soldier who he said had 'made the ultimate sacrifice' and hailed the troops' success.
He said: 'I'm very proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played and the amazing bravery that has been shown, the night assault that had to take place, the huge effort that is now being made to hold the land. 
'It is sad that we have lost one of our most courageous soldiers in this effort. I want to pass on my condolences to his family and friends. He was very brave and very courageous and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.'
 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250904/Bomb-kills-British-soldier--Taliban-fled-battlefield.html#ixzz0fVxifZ25
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Yeah right. Gorilla fighters always retreat and then come back. They never dig in unless they have to. In other words a massive offensive will and can never work. 
This is a publicity exercise and nothing more, and as the gentleman said: advertising it only allows for preparation of the enemy.
- marcus, Middlesbrough. UK, 14/2/2010 12:48
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This is just planned media coverage to try and convince the uk that this dreadful loss of life is worth it. Well i dont belive it is. My thoughts are with the bereaved families who are bearing the cost of a pointless battle.
- elaine, birmingham, 14/2/2010 12:36
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"He was the 258th British soldier to die since hostilities began in 2001." 
200 until mid August 2009. 58 in the last six months. Things are getting worse, not better.
- Conor, UK, 14/2/2010 12:04
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I think that the advance publicity was intentional to avoid bloodshed and so that the operation could be seen as a success.As the D/M writes,now positions have to be held which will presumably need more men than collectively we have got,so expect another recruitment drive.No doubt this will mean increased allied deaths.
- michael savell, brittany,france, 14/2/2010 11:59
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Whilst our warriors are out there fighting with all their strength, celebrities and lawers are getting very very rich on loopholes to get them out of crime at home. What a wonderful country we have become full of selfishness and greed, another divide of them and us. And it is the us, who are sent to fight the poiticians dirty wars for them whilst their lives of luxury go on uninterrupted. Rule Brittania. By the way footballers and sport celebrities please do not sing our national anthem it will be farcical.......
- LUCY LOU, LINCOLN, UK, 14/2/2010 11:59
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We warn the Taliban that we are coming so they can deploy IEDs and bury their weapons. Then wait till the invaders get bored and return to their camps. The Taliban dig up their weapons and it will be business as usual within a month. 
The Afghans don't even trust the neighbouring tribes, so they are NEVER going to embrace a central government. Has our Foreign Office lost all the records of our previous excursions into Afghanistan? 
This is a war born out of a failed US Middle East policy; why the hell is the UK paying £Billions and sacrificing soldiers for an un-winnable campaign?
- Steve, Prestatyn, 14/2/2010 11:57
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We are not doing this on our own. NATO countries are providing their soldiers too along with the USA. It is a bigger picture than just us against them. All Europe is struggling with immigration/drugs and the threat of terrorism. Let us pray for our men to come home safely, and let us treat with honour those who do not make it back, and those who are injured to have the very best treatment and compensation for their valour. 
Most of all it is to be hoped that Afghanistan and its people soon return to some sort of normality and that a hard won peace allows them to rebuild their lives and their country.
- Annie, Warminster, 14/2/2010 11:46
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If you need some kind of financial marker on this debacal, it is costing approximately £13 million per day to finance, all of which we are borrowing from America. Now then , if £13,000,000 is multiplied by the number of days we have spent in Afghanistan, you will see what an astronomical figure it tots up to. When all the dust settles, and we have to pay America back, we will also be paying interest on the sum borrowed. This is fundementally Americas war, WE ARE BORROWING VAST AMOUNTS OF MONEY FROM AMERICA TO FIGHT THEIR WAR FOR THEM ! ! ! HOW CRAZY CAN WE GET, 
- Jack, Worksop, Notts., 14/2/2010 11:39
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how can you expect to beat an adversary when you tell him that you are coming the week before,sounds typical of the labour gov strategy
- silver fox, farnworth,bolton, 14/2/2010 11:29
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Pull out the regular forces and beef up the SAS and Special Forces. They will be able to fight the Taliban on their own ground in a way that ensures success ( at least in the eyes of the West). This is not a conventional war but a guerrilla war. Allow the specialists to do they job they are good at and bring the rest of the troops home. The other alternative is to get out of Afganistan altogether and allow the Afghan people to decide their own future.
- worldplayer, Just an idea, 14/2/2010 11:22
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reading the coments of your readers, they rant on about why did we tell the taliban they were coming because women and children would have been killed. they should understand how hard it is to tell who is who at night and in battle.so come on and live in the real world and not use politics behind your coments.
- joe williams, seaham,england, 14/2/2010 11:21
keep fighting boys, we know you have to fight the war with one arm behind your backs, but like all brave men. you will fight like the lions you are. and know this, your leaders are here, crying on tv, wollowing in selfpity. thank god its you there and not them. we will do how best to make sure that these two are not here when you come back. stay safe.
- vincent barrett, spain, 14/2/2010 11:19
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Just bring our Troops home. 
The threat is not from over there. 
This government has let them 
In, indeed encouraged them. 
Let our soldiers protect us here !
- Gerry, England, 14/2/2010 11:18
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Come on, the Taliban must be lacking some smarts or they would do this every time. I cant understand why they just don't disappear with all their kit well hidden and wait five years until the West say they have won the war on terror, 
rebuild every thing put a Western biased government inpower,reduce their troops to virtually nothing and then come back out of the wood work and take up where they left off.This is a conflict that is a waste of lives for no reason certainly not to prevent terrorism in this country,probably actually causes most of it,its definitely Lions told what to do by Government Donkeys.
- England Fan, Hull Yorks., 14/2/2010 11:13
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Same situation as the Boer War as Comrade Ainsworth toes the line as he did at Jaguar. Rather more frightening is The Independents article about underground prisons which appear exactly the same as we were told Hussein's used to such great effect.
- rob, France, 14/2/2010 11:06
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And of course the Taliban were not there to greet the boys, as they knew about it weeks ago. They must be laughing there socks.
- wind, in the willows, 14/2/2010 11:04
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The aim was to regain control over this area. Mission accomplished. Taliban? Not in control. Mission accomplished. 
Sure, the hard task is keeping control, but that is why the Afghan Army was involved this time. They are the 'occupiers'. Not us. 
Stop berating our soldiers and their leadership. The press releases were done to reduce casualities. It did the job. Mission accomplished.
- Flippin Heck, Redcar, 14/2/2010 10:54
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Western governments just don't seem to understand the concept of the tribal culture of the Afghans, or appreciate how large a factor Islamic Faith is to them. Even if we accept the 'Hearts and Minds' strategy for a moment, and the publishing of the attack plan - as soon as we depart, the Taliban will be back. We are alien to the local people - the Taliban are not. Why do we not learn from history? Give up now, Brown - you are never going to outshine Maggie Thatcher, militarily or politically, she won a war, you have lost, her government left the country solvent, you are leaving it broke.
- Mike, Folkestone England, 14/2/2010 10:54
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who planned the operation the keystone cops?
- ENGLANDER, SLEEPY HOLLOW ENGLAND, 14/2/2010 10:11
It really begs belief as to who gave authority for the start date of the operation to be broadcast worldwide. Did they expect the Taliban just to sit and wait for the military to arrive ?. 
Of course the Taliban were going to depart and on doing so plant as many IED's and booby traps as was possible to do. 
"Troops need to 'hold ground' against Taliban after triumph in Operation Moshtarak", says the most inept Defence Secretary ever, Bob Ainsworth. 
So Defence Secretary, we take it that it is very unlikely that the military will withdraw for years from the 'ground' taken. Simply because every time ground has been won and we have withdrawn the Taliban have just moved back in. 
Until the war against the Taliban is organised from the front line and not by military with little or no experience in warfare who are sitting behind desks in MOD London there will be no soloution. More importantly is keep the politicians out of any organising relvant to the military operations.
- Pip Waller, North Yorkshire, 14/2/2010 10:09
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As they were given a weeks notice of the impending military push, it is not a a surprise that they have legged it or gone to ground.The number of local " peace-loving farmers, just trying to get on with their lives " will have been hugely swelled by fit,healthy men of fighting age in the past week. 
Might be an idea to keep an eye on the increase of chaps returning to Britain after spending an indefinate amount of time " studying religion " out in Pakistan/Afghanistan as well. 
Not to mention the sudden increase of asylum seekers from Afghanistan who also happen to be male and of fighting age and who apparently want nothing more than to live in the tolerant and multi-cultural UK.
- Andy, Guildford, 14/2/2010 10:07
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Wasn't the Taliban defeated in 2001? Surely this should have been a pincer movement with air borne troops sealing off their escape route in the South (without giving warning - the effect of surprise?). British troops must wonder what they are sacrificing so much for, no one in the British public has any idea.
- Ant, Newcastle, 14/2/2010 10:01
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Am I the only one who thinks this whole operatiion a futile exercise to regain the public faith in this stupid war?? They gave the Taliban enough time to run and hide and take their weapons with them. We all march in triumphant and then the Taliban return when everything goes back to normal and it all goes on EXACTLY as before. We say we are leaving behind Afghan protecting their own.............are we that stupid we believe them???
- topsy, tyneside, 14/2/2010 9:57
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What a complete waste of time and money. Money that is from the British tax payers. 
This was a PR exercise and nothing less. 
In a couple of weeks, the Taliban will return soon after their women and children return and back to square one. 
Thank you Gordon for another PR exercise at the expense of our soldiers.
- Bal singh, kent. England, 14/2/2010 9:57
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Those who ask why our troops are in Afghanistan might consider the following true story. A journalist friend of mine was there after the the Taliban, with US help, kicked out the Soviets. He asked several of their leaders: "What will you do now?" Their response was unanimous: "We will kill Americans." 
"But why when they have helped you get rid of the Russians?" my friend responded. They replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Because you are infidels." The aim of people like the Taliban is to establish a world-wide Islamic Caliphate, by force if necessary. That's why they provided a base for Al Qaeda to plan 9/11 and other terrorist acts. If they regain power they will do so again. However difficult it might be it is better to fight them on their territory than ours and our thanks should go to all the forces out there who are risking their lives in doing so.
- colin, cumbria, 14/2/2010 9:52
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What also has to be understood is that prior to the formal beginning of this offensive Special Forces operated in this area and over 50 people were targeted and killed. No trial, no capture, no detention, just killed. 

As for trusting the Afghan army have people such short memories they cannot remember how many soldiers were killed when attacked by one of their 'allies' and what did happen to him. How many CIA agents were recently killed by a suicide bomber, doing torture didn't help to identify the ticking bomb there did it.
- T A Griffin, Exeter, 14/2/2010 9:50
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The Taliban legged it because they prefer to attack defenceless boys schools in Pakistan rather than face armed soldiers.Why do they do this when their aim is to become martyrs.
- mick, preston england, 14/2/2010 9:45
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It is not about kill ratios. it is about gaining and holding ground, you can kill as many as you like and another wave of new and even more fanatical converts will meet you on the battlefield on another day. The IEDs and mines would have been in place regardless of them moving out. Better that the Taliban have move backed, IEDs and mines are not just to cause immediate casualties, the Taliban would have been waiting in fire teams, you hit a mine/IED the next thing you expect is to come under fire, you are halted, you have to get to the wounded, whilst trying to clear away through, this then becomes for your enemy a 'killing zone' and he has you in it, he will use this to open heavy fire whilst you are halted, he will have planned his escape routes and hit and run.
- Wills, Soton, 14/2/2010 9:34
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The hard bit is what comes next in reassuring the local community. This is all about winning the allegiance of the population. That allegiance is not won in a day. It must be won over time.' 
Does this mean the local community don't actually want the troops there? If so, they should be sent home!
- BB, Alicante, 14/2/2010 9:27
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Afghanistan will return to it's former lawless self within one year of coalition forces leaving, everyone with one iota of sense realises this, it is just one big terrible mistake made by incompetent politicians and their military advisors, at the expense of our brave young men and women. 
I fee ashamed of this country.
- John Norton, Norfolk, 14/2/2010 9:26
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What utter nonsense this all is, you announce your attack giving times and dates then go oh look they have gone. What a surprise.Or maybe not. 
This becoming a picture post card war, in fact its not a War at all. This is a propaganda engagement involving the Worlds armies against baggy trousered tribesmen who live in another age. Get OUT!
- John, Liverpool, 14/2/2010 9:25
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Since we sent them postcards before attacking it's hardly surprising. Did we expect them to greet us with tea and biscuits before surrendering?
- Peter, Chester, UK, 14/2/2010 9:24
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I am a bit confused about the success of this military action. Don't get me wrong. I want it to be a success! 
Our soldiers have moved into the area and have to deal with bombs but the enemy have moved out. This is being claimed as a victory. 
Where have the insurgents gone? Are they going to attack a different area? Are they simply waiting for the military action to finish? 
We make a big mistake if we simply assume that these people are stupid! They have had weeks to work out a strategy for this military action. 
In the past they have simply buried their weapons, become part of the community, and waited for the soldiers to go. 
I don't like to see the way that the generals and the government are claiming at this stage that it is a great victory for us! It gives the impression that they don't treat the Taliban as a serious opponent!
- michael, brentwood, essex, 14/2/2010 9:22
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What a waste of life, time and money. For the past 100 years politicians have been telling us lies about Afghansitan, lets have the truth, the first story was looking for Osama bin Larden since then the story has changed five or six times. Every one knows the real truth Money!! War is always good for business, think of all the factories making Guns, Tanks, Planes, Ammunition Clothing ect. It goes on and on. No wars to fight means more unemployment.
- Alan Foreman, Wimbledon, London, 14/2/2010 9:14
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theres a surprise, the taliban have 'fled the battlefield' Did the commanders really think they would go toe to toe with the US and UK forces. They have just melted back in with the local poulation and will reappear when the troops have gone. 
Pointless, pointless, pointless, war
- christopher Tracy, bath, 14/2/2010 8:58
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Brown has no imagination. When he says that we have lost one of our most courageous soldiers, what does that say about all the other soldiers involved. Same as when Sarah says that he is her hero, same as when he weeps during a tv interview. When will others understand that many of these soldiers are just doing a job. As for keeping terror off the streets of our country, please, get real, the Afghan people did not bring terror to our streets, neither here no New York, look at the Saudi arabians for the problem, oops sorry we need them for our oil, and miltary dealings.
- T A Griffin, Exeter, 14/2/2010 8:48
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Little or no resistance, well what did they expect after announcing it on TV for the week before
- John Cummings, Hensall, UK, 14/2/2010 8:41
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Do'h. 
Anyone surprised the Tally Ho Band all legged it, with all their ordinance, when they were given a weeks notice, that a huge mob of Brit and USA military lads, were coming ? 
The few who stayed were slaughtered, or captured. 
I hope if the so called leaders of these UK / USA units, decide to attack the Tally Ho Band again, they keep their traps firmly shut until afterwards ! 
Dolts. 
The Tally Ho's are not stupid, and they just keep killing a few of our lot, with their IEDs. No risk to themselves then. Who expected them to go toe to toe in this latest fiasco ?
- Id Ban'em'all, Frozen Britain in the middle of a sweltering global warming fiasco., 14/2/2010 8:39
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My heart goes out to the family and friends of the dead soldier killed in this operation.I cannot understand Browns words when he says this soldier gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I cannot believe that we are fighting war out there for our country, in fact I believe that our country would be much safer if we stopped meddling in the way other countries are run.I think it's high time our troops were brought home from Afghanistan, there are plenty ways they can serve THEIR country here.
- sandra page, chesterfield england, 14/2/2010 8:09
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Did anyone expect the Taliban to be there when it's been advertised for weeks that an attack was coming? 
Why weree the D day landings kept secret from the Germans? 
Dohhhh
- Klampet, Tunbridge Wells, 14/2/2010 8:02
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Pleased for our soilders, but how strange things have suddeny turned, just before the election.
- Mark, Dartford UK, 14/2/2010 7:58
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Suprise,suprise!........Nobody expected them to stand and fight did they?
- john, shoreham-by-sea, 14/2/2010 7:34
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of course the Taliban have fled that because you told them you were coming and they knew you have better weapons, but it doesn't mean they have gone away 
Get real!
- toto kubwa, Cyprus, 14/2/2010 7:23
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The Taliban are guerrillas. You cannot beat people who snipe at you, who leave roadside bombs and when you go after them, fade into the local population. This is a war we cannot win.
- Jim Diamond, Cambridge UK, 14/2/2010 7:22
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This offensice is not a triumph - it's a pre-election gimmick, wasting Vritish lives to get our government a few votes. The Taliban were warned about the attack and will have just popped over to Pakistan for some rest and relaxation while our soldiers get blown up by the IEDs left for them. As soo as our troops leave, the Taliban will be back. In the meantime Brown will have a military 'victory' to boast about for the next election. We've wasted 8 years achieveing nothing - time to bring our troops home.
- david craig, Bournemouth, UK, 14/2/2010 7:15
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I thought that all the baddies would run away from our boys having been warned they were on their way.So much for all you armchair doom and gloomers I say!Listen and learn I think.
- jenny jones, essex, 14/2/2010 7:04
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What a total useless campaign. The Taliban where told in advance, they fled to come back another day to do battle, but with the most important element "surprize"! 
The Allied Army management are not fit to organize a Sunday School picnic, they are a shambles and should be fired!!
- Dave, Durban South Africa, 14/2/2010 6:49

To win anything you dont tell them you are coming! You surround them , fight through and eradicate them as they are engaged. Its either arms up or hands up, that way they will not filter back like cockroachs in the dark. Mark my words this is not a "victory" just a displacement.
- anon, Bedford, 14/2/2010 6:48
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YOU CAN NOT ELIMINATE RATS THEY JUST KEEP COMING BACK.
- MR TERENCE SNOW, ENGLAND., 14/2/2010 6:41
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We gave the Taliban almost two weeks notice of our intentions and troop strength etc. 
Now we are saying we are enjoying a victory by clearing them out. 
I don't think the majority of them waited to be killed. Most of them disappeared into the general population and will rise again when the time is ripe. 
My concerns are for the troops who are engaged in this fruitless campaign and the ever rising death toll. They are being used for an unwinable political purpose. 
Lets get back to the days when Kings and Lords (and include politicians as self proclaimed knowalls) rode into battle with their troops. I doubt there would be many wars nor many fat backsides sitting in the House of Lords.
- ex marine, Centurion. S. Africa., 14/2/2010 6:16
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Don't suppose prince Harry will be there fighting alongside our lads, nah thought as much.
- Special curry with chips please., Planet earth I think?, 14/2/2010 6:14
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With all the advance warnings it would be no surprise if most of the Taliban are now on holiday in Brighton, waiting to return when the armies have gone from their homeland.
- A tax-payer, England as was, not EU, 14/2/2010 6:14
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Is it just me who is wondering why the hell our young soldiers are not only STILL in Afghanistan, but also why we are still pushing them forward into yet another 'full blown' military assault? 
Please somebody remind me why Britain has felt it necessary not only to offer up the lives of so many young soldiers( kids really), into 'fighting' this 'so called' war, but also why we have also seemingly deemed it 'okay' to have poured £BILLIONS into the whole sorry mess for the past eight years, whilst also declaring a finacicial crisis in our country. I mean, if we need to 'borrow' in order to keep aloft, then how on earth are we able to 'fork out' so much money to keep troops in Afghanistan? 
Why are we even in that country? 
Honestly, the moment an Afghan army might roll their tanks down my road, I shall be out there protecting my country and way of life; but given that no such situation has ever arisen......WHY are we sacrifcing young. British lives to this madness?
- kate, Manchester, 14/2/2010 6:02
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Well, we warned them the cavalry was coming (as British gentlemen always do) 
So they ran and hid and set booby-traps........... 
Seems to me like the Taliban are much better at war-games than us!
- steve, tenerife, 14/2/2010 5:18
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So...... Let me see if I have the full picture. 
Thousands of battle redied troops tell the world what they are going to do and when, and they are surprised because even a stupid Guerrilla decide not to turn up for the tea and biscuits? 
It this is what is called 'Modern Warfare'? The type that no one fights in? 
Yesterday we had hours of BBC propaganda to try relentlessly to drum up some patriotic support for this......outing', and now today, i'm sure, we will have to suffer the same again for 'The Victory Celebrations'. 
Still...... Its nice that they didn't have to fight, isn't it? 
Am I the only one in this country who thinks they are being taken for a mug? 
Bring these lads home until we decide what we are fighting for, this sham has gone on far too long. 
It's becoming a boring commedy show now.
- Charlie, Swansea, 14/2/2010 3:46
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15000 troups and all that air power and cost and they get 20 dead Taliban and world-wide publicity. Is this a joke or what?
- Jo Mo, Bangkok, 14/2/2010 3:38
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I feel for the troops sent to this war, It is a complete waste of time, Because when the allies leave it will quickly sink back into it's old corrupt ways, and the Taliban will take over again, It is just a big waste of lives, You can't save something that is basically evil and corrupt, it is still there under the surface, Just look at the last election?
- Anthony Rowley, Mandurah ,Western Australia, 14/2/2010 3:13
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