Inside the Taliban: ‘The more troops they send, the more targets we have’

News from ‘On-the-ground’ in Afghanistan.  This is a first-hand story, the beginning of a series that appeared today at The Guardian, written by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad

Who is our declared enemy? Why are they fighting? How can there be a “victory”? Please take the time to read this. The writing puts you right there with the reporter and the Taliban. Walk in their shoes for a few minutes.

A Taliban fighter loyal to Jalaluddin Haqqani, whose operations also include suicide bombers. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul-Ahad

Here’s a few paragraphs taken out of the story for your review.  To read the full story, follow the link above and also at the end of these paragraphs.  Again, reporting from the scene, not a press release story.

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad award winning writer for the Guardian writes:

…”The situation is very simple here,” he continued. “We are Muslims and tribal people, the Taliban are Muslim and from the same tribes, the foreign troops are non-Muslims and there was no referendum from the people to ask them to come here. God told us to fight the occupation so the people are against the occupation. The people are ideologically similar to the Taliban, so the Taliban don’t hide, they live with the people.”
 
…”The Americans toppled the emirate [of the Taliban] and we are fighting to bring it back. When the Taliban were here the jihad was only in Afghanistan. Now, thanks to the Americans, the jihad has spread to many other countries.”
 
…”We follow Haqqani. He was a smart mujahid against the Soviets and during all his wars he taught us how to focus on training and teaching. I was taught by him and most of our men were trained by him and his commanders. We have order, because we had good teaching and good training.” 
 
(My note:  See Charlie Wilson’s War, a movie.  We, the U.S. sent weapons to the mujahid that is being discussed here.  We funded the people we are fighting now).Read the rest of the story here

Stop the War, pass this along.  No Funding for the war(s).  No more troops. 

Tags: Afghan fighters, Afghan village, Afghan Warlords, Jalaluddin Haqqani, mujahid, taliban