ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Skynet** · 26-05-2008, 23:31

Taliban turn to Iraq-style tactics to take Kabul districts

By Tom Coghlan in Taggab District, Kapisa Province
Last Updated: 11:31PM BST 26/05/2008
Taliban militants have begun infiltrating districts around Kabul, adopting Iraq-style insurgency tactics against Nato forces and the fragile Afghan government.
The strategy can be seen in microcosm in Taggab, which lies just 40 miles to the north of Kabul and where the Taliban is seen by many as a credible alternative to the weak US-backed government.

"Three months ago there were many Taliban preachers who moved through this area, calling the people to begin jihad," said Mohammad Nabi "Rahimullah" Safi, the deputy governor of Kapisa province.

"Then armed groups arrived. The people were consulting the government less. They went to the Taliban instead to sort out their issues."
More on the link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...districts.html

**KGB_resident** · 27-05-2008, 09:03

The Talibs understand one simple thing much better than 'thinkers' in Washington. The main battle in Afghanistan is for 'hearts and minds'.

**Drlligaf** · 27-05-2008, 09:13

Originally Posted by KGB_resident

The Talibs understand one simple thing much better than 'thinkers' in Washington. The main battle in Afghanistan is for 'hearts and minds'.

Sorry Sergei you contradicted yourself there. It's not so much thinking as knee jerk reflex. :D

**in_the_cheapseats** · 27-05-2008, 09:15

Originally Posted by KGB_resident

The Talibs understand one simple thing much better than 'thinkers' in Washington. The main battle in Afghanistan is for 'hearts and minds'.

That's a technique your nation understands and applies soooooo well in all its ventures, Sergey, isn't it? Do one.

**fusil89** · 27-05-2008, 09:21

sorry sergey but I must agree with "in_the_cheapseats" regarding Russia's past exploits.

Your boys were hardly handing out presents to the people when they were there (unless you mean mines).

Hearts and minds is always a predominant aspect of British srategies, However in Afghanistan the people are too scared of the Taliban

**KGB_resident** · 27-05-2008, 10:16

Originally Posted by in_the_cheapseats

Originally Posted by KGB_resident

The Talibs understand one simple thing much better than 'thinkers' in Washington. The main battle in Afghanistan is for 'hearts and minds'.

That's a technique your nation understands and applies soooooo well in all its ventures, Sergey, isn't it? Do one.

Mate, likely you are absolutely unaware about big (though resultless) efforts to win 'hearts and minds' of Afghans in 80's. Fist of all it was distribution of land among poorest peasants in expense of the rich. As a result the rich became active leaders of the insurgency. The poor were afraid to cultivate 'stolen lands' and as a rule returned it to previous owners. There was distribution of food that mainly was stolen by corruptioners. Yes, digging of wells in some waterless regions is still remembered by the locals but it hadn't any strategic effect. Soviet leaders sent specially formed regiments (that included Soviet Uzbeks and Tadjiks). It was not very effective measure. Moreover, in Pushtun regions it caused even much more fierce resistence. Pro-Soviet government tried to bound influence of the Muslim clerics. Really initiative was mainly on Afghan side and Soviet leadership even urged their allies in Afghanistan to follow more moderate line. Soviet medics healed many Afghans but alas it was not appresiated. As I remember there were planting of trees by Soviet soldiers, concerts, meetings with local population. Ironically those that received Soviet soldiers as dear guests with traditional cup of tea sometimes attacked them at night.

Whatever Soviet ledeaship did, the majority of Afghans regarded Soviet soldiers as occupants.

**dante242** · 27-05-2008, 10:24

Sorry, I have to stand up with Sergai, the average middle income Afghani has fond memories of the Russians who built schools,clinics and housing, the police also have fond memories of exchange training and funding....

**fusil89** · 27-05-2008, 10:26

Thats because you were occupants. The main objective in seizing Afghanistan was so that Russia had a better foothold in the mid east and a launch pad for hostilities against the west. Russia did not go for the sake of the Afghan people or even its own but rather to attempt to damage the west.

And you can also not deny that the Russians did some terrible things to the Afghan people during the occupation...

p.s. this is not a personal attack against you but rather the strategies that the Russian military has employed in the past.

**fusil89** · 27-05-2008, 10:30

Also if the Russians were saints then why did a 3rd of the country flee to Pakistan to escape the occupation?

**KGB_resident** · 27-05-2008, 11:00

Originally Posted by fusil89

Thats because you were occupants. The main objective in seizing Afghanistan was so that Russia had a better foothold in the mid east and a launch pad for hostilities against the west. Russia did not go for the sake of the Afghan people or even its own but rather to attempt to damage the west.

And you can also not deny that the Russians did some terrible things to the Afghan people during the occupation...

p.s. this is not a personal attack against you but rather the strategies that the Russian military has employed in the past.

Of course, there were war crimes, there were bombings, killings and so on... Once few soldiers were killed. Soviet commander ordered to capture the same number of locals were laid on the road and a tank rolled over them. From that point killings of Soviet soldiers stopped.

There is a problem with the Afghans. They understand mainly language of force, respect force and constantly try to demostrate their force.

As for the reasons - why exactly the Soviet leaders (the Kremlin elders) decided to enter Afghanistan? Then it was of course a part of the cold war, it was an attempt to create close ally in this corner of the World with clear intention to spread Soviet influence (along of influence of communist ideplogy) to neighbouring countries. Success in Afghanistan would cause (from point of view of the 'Kremlin elders') the domino effect.

By the way if we compare Soviet and modern American strategies then there are many similiarities (only replace 'communist ideas' by 'democratic values').