ANA takes back Kunduz
According to Stars & Stripes (by way of Military.com) reports that US Special Forces joined with the Afghanistan National Army to take back the city of Kunduz on Wednesday and Thursday;
The Reuters news agency quoted a senior Afghan security official as saying about 100 U.S. special operations troops fought off Taliban attackers threatening to breach the airport early Wednesday.
The American troops, wearing night-vision goggles, left the airport and killed the assailants before returning, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media about the fighting.
Fighting around Kunduz, a city of about 300,000, has centered around the airport, where Afghan forces are trying to launch a counteroffensive to recapture the city. Reports from the scene said the counteroffensive faltered Tuesday because of stiff Taliban resistance including improvised explosive devices along the road into the town about 6.5 miles to the north of the airport.
CNN reports that some US commanders are using the situation to justify breaking the President’s promise to pull US troops out of Afghanistan next year;
“We’ve seen U.S. aircraft supporting the Afghan government and the Afghan security forces because they can’t do it alone just yet,” said Mark Hertling, a retired U.S. Army general. “You’re also going to see U.S. special forces — special operating forces — supporting the commandos in Afghanistan as they attempt to reinforce Kunduz.”
U.S. and German forces regularly operate in the area, advising Afghan forces.
While government forces were battling the Taliban in Kunduz, the Taliban was moving in parts of the country, says CNN;
The Taliban have taken over the Warduj district of Badakhshan, east of Kunduz province…The Taliban takeover in Warduj province represents a new setback for the Afghan government, after the group reclaimed parts of the city of Kunduz earlier this week. That was the biggest victory the Taliban has had in 15 years. Kunduz is a strategic hub on the main highway between Kabul and Tajikistan.
Whack-a-mole.
Category: Terror War
When Kunduz was taken by the Taliban, its commander or spokesman (I forget which) said that they didn’t intend to hold it, that it was taken to demonstrate that the city and any city could be taken. I’d say they made their point. So, given that statement–made days and days ago, I would guess that, despite the victory reports from the ANA, it wasn’t all that. I just hope our guys know to keep the ANA in front of them at all times.
Keep them in front of you and shoot them when they turn and run…
Even if we get the ANA to where it can take care of itself, will they get support afterward, or will the blubbernecked pols in DC pull the plug and let it all go down the shitpipes like they did with Vietnam and tell us Vets WE failed?
I do not believe it. Thurday nights are booked solid for most AFG “Men”.
Or maybe they really did kick some ass becasue they were so mad the were not getting any.
Donkey’s every where must have been ruined after the fighting.
I bet the ANA commander gave up Kunduz, then took it back… and he made a profit on each transaction.
I wonder how much cash we will have to distribute to the locals for dead/injured livestock, damaged mud walls, etc.
In the immortal words of Metallica
“Sad but True”
“Reoccupied” is a better term – the ANA reported NO casualties. No way in hell did they retake a city against any opposition and take no casualties. They were strolling into an empty place.
‘Zactly.’
Noticed the article said “100 US special operations forces”…
No mention of ANA forces.