US forced to pull out of Afghan base
Press TV
Pentagon officials announced on Friday that the withdrawal from the outposts in the eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan-once called instrumental in the fight against the increasing militancy in the war-wracked country-- formally began on February 15 and is expected to take about two months, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.
The officials, meanwhile, have stated that the commander of US-led forces in eastern Afghanistan, Major General John Campbell is "repositioning" forces "within the province to achieve greater effect and allow for more flexibility."
Campbell, "is moving forces around within his area of responsibility away from isolated static security outposts and more towards protecting the population in Kunar (province)," said Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Robbins.
However, the move has prompted grave concerns among Afghan officials, who believe the shift of troops could create a military vacuum in the areas where militants are well established and may regain footing in the region, which once was vital to offensives against Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Afghan officials also fear they might not be prepared enough to protect the civilians against militant attacks, amid unremitting violence against both civilians and foreign troops in the country.
"It will be difficult for Afghans to hold these areas on their own. The terrain there is very tough," said Afghan Defense Minister Rahim Wardak.
A battalion of some 800 US troops have been deployed to the Pech Valley since 2006. More than 48 foreign troops have been killed in the war-torn country so far this year.
Last year saw a considerable spike in the number of attacks on US-led soldiers in Afghanistan with more than 710 troops killed.
A year after ordering 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan as part of a last-ditch "surge" strategy designed to defeat al-Qaeda and reverse the Taliban, US President Barack Obama conceded in December that gains were fragile and reversible.
On December 16, Obama unveiled the result of a two-month National Security Council assessment on the war in Afghanistan, claiming that Washington has been "on track" in achieving its objectives in the war-wracked country.
Obama, however, warned that US-led troops in Afghanistan continue to face an uphill battle in their mission.
HA/MGH
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Feb. 26, 2011