Afghanistan: Spring Surprise
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The Taliban brought the war in Afghanistan to a new front yesterday, when over 100 warriors attacked government posts NORTH of Kabul, instead of from it’s bases in the south. The battle not only created a new frontline, but was the closest that heavy fighting has gotten to Kabul in over five years. The attack took place 40 miles northeast of the capital in the Tagab district of Kapsia province.
Given that the area is mostly manned by Afghan Government forces, only limited U.S. support was involved in the clash. However, the implications for the attack are obvious. NATO may have to redeploy certain forces to the north as the battlespace is stretched; the Taliban may be opening up new supply routes in order to both generally infiltrate new territory, and for specific operations against the capital. Whatever the case, the battle got the full attention of U.S. and NATO command.
The assault was also notable because the Taliban’s much vaunted, ballyhooed and threatened Spring offensive has yet to materialize. This was supposed to be the year of the worst fighting since their ouster. Perhaps yesterday’s fight was the first signs of such large-scale combat to come, or perhaps it was just an anomaly. We’ll see.
REUTERS ROCK AND ROLL TALIBAN REVUE:
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