Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Sacking Of Kunduz Signals The Iraqification Of Afghanistan

War On Terror: While President Obama was holding court at the U.N., the Taliban were taking a major Afghanistan city. The enemy's offensive in Kunduz is an ominous sign that Afghanistan could soon go the way of Iraq.
Despite U.S. training, Afghan soldiers could not defend the northern Afghan city, the first provincial capital and major urban area the Taliban have taken since 2001. It also showcased the insurgency's ability to expand beyond its rural strongholds in the south of the country.
Most alarming, just 500 insurgents were able to overpower government troops numbering several thousand. As the Taliban attacked, the U.S-trained Afghan troops dropped their weapons and ran, just like the U.S.-trained Iraqi troops did earlier this year when Islamic State forces advanced on Ramadi.
The government soldiers retreated to the airport on the outskirts of the city. If not for U.S. drone strikes, the Taliban would have seized the airport.
Still, the Taliban managed to occupy the city for three days before American Special Operations troops helped the reinforced Afghan army drive them out.
But the retreating government troops left in their wake weapons, ammunition, armored vehicles and even tanks, which the Taliban quickly looted.
Like the ISIS fighters who have easily commandeered thousands of Humvees from fleeing Iraqi soldiers, the Taliban now have armed themselves with key U.S. military equipment they can use in future incursions.
The Taliban, which also claimed the downing of a C-130 military plane, killing 11, declared the offensive a "historic victory."
Sadly, they're not overstating it.
The sacking of Kunduz was a major tactical success for the enemy and an embarrassing blow to Obama's Afghan strategy, which hinges on standing up a reliable national army to defend the government in Kabul.
Read the rest of this IBD editorial HERE.

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