Afghan forces with NATO air support conduct major operation against insurgents in east

The key trends of the war in Afghanistan can be summarized fairly simply. The hard part is figuring out what they collectively add up to. The muddled picture no doubt contributed to recent poll results showing that two-thirds of Americans oppose their country’s involvement in the conflict. Afghans themselves seem confused; according to a 2011 Asia Foundation poll, 73 percent of citizens support their national government (and even higher percentages their army and police), but only 46 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction.


Here is what we know: Afghans are wealthier, healthier and better educated than ever before. Unquestionably, Afghan security forces are bigger and better. Despite the occasional spectacular attack, Kabul is relatively safe, accounting for less than 1 percent of violent episodes nationwide, thanks largely to the efforts of these troops. The security situation in the more dangerous south is also much improved, after two years of efforts by foreign and Afghan forces. The north and west are at least no longer deteriorating and collectively account for less than 10 percent of violence nationwide. But the east, near where insurgents in the Haqqani network have found sanctuary across the Pakistani border, remains highly troubled. There, insurgent violence against Afghan citizens and troops, as well as foreign soldiers, actually went up about 20 percent last year. NATO and Afghan forces will increasingly concentrate their efforts in the east this year and next.


The offensive comes at the beginning of Afghanistan’s spring fighting season. The government and the U.S.-led coalition are expected to step up their operations as temperatures warm across the nation.


“Kamdesh is an important and strategic place for insurgents in eastern Afghanistan,” Zareen said. “It’s the main way for insurgents to supply insurgents across eastern Afghanistan. Unfortunately, we have control of some parts of Kamdesh, but not all.”


Afghan officials say that one policeman and a woman have been killed in the fighting, with another four Afghan soldiers and another woman wounded.


A unit of an unknown number of Afghan commandos and about 400 Afghan policemen are conducting the operation, and another 200 police are soon to join them.


“This time we’re not going to just conduct a big operation and leave,” Zareen said, adding that government-backed forces have now gained control of the main road through Kamdesh for the first time in years. “After clearing the area, we will set up extra checkpoints to help maintain peace for the people.”


In a statement released Saturday, the Afghan Defense Ministry said it launched the operation because residents were complaining that insurgents were becoming more active in the area.

“The commandoes descended into the area by helicopters,” the ministry said. “Other Afghan army units are on alert in nearby Nangarhar and Kunar provinces if there is any need for reinforcements.”