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Afghanistan: Tactics and techniques
International forces in Afghanistan are facing mounting security problems. The Taleban - ousted from Kabul in the 2001 US-led invasion - have regrouped over the last couple of years, and are now a resurgent force in the south and east of the country.
Although there are no reliable estimates of their current manpower, Taleban tactics are nothing new. Their fighters follow exactly the same principles of low-level guerrilla warfare as the mujahedin fighters who inflicted heavy losses on the Soviet army which occupied Afghanistan from 1979-89.
Speed, surprise, mobility and flexibility are integral factors in such cases of 'assymetric warfare'; where a smaller, irregular force faces a far larger, better-armed one. The history of such encounters often shows that the smaller, local force will fare better.
Favoured guerrilla methods include ambush, sabotage, roadside bombings and assassination. In recent months suicide bombings have occurred, a tactic some analysts believe has been 'imported' from Iraq.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5147832.stm
Extra Afghan deployment expected
The UK is expected to announce reinforcements for its taskforce in Afghanistan - as Tony Blair warns of the dangerous mission they face there.
Defence Secretary Des Browne is due to release the details in a statement to the House of Commons.
It follows a request for extra troops in Helmand province, where six UK soldiers have died in the past month.
Mr Blair said: "This has always been a tough task and people have understood it was going to be dangerous."
UK security implications
The 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is currently on standby for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It is believed additional helicopter support will also be announced. There may also be more engineers and armoured vehicles.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5163900.stm
Speed, surprise, mobility and flexibility are integral factors in such cases of 'assymetric warfare'; where a smaller, irregular force faces a far larger, better-armed one. The history of such encounters often shows that the smaller, local force will fare better.
Favoured guerrilla methods include ambush, sabotage, roadside bombings and assassination. In recent months suicide bombings have occurred, a tactic some analysts believe has been 'imported' from Iraq.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5147832.stm
Extra Afghan deployment expected
The UK is expected to announce reinforcements for its taskforce in Afghanistan - as Tony Blair warns of the dangerous mission they face there.
Defence Secretary Des Browne is due to release the details in a statement to the House of Commons.
It follows a request for extra troops in Helmand province, where six UK soldiers have died in the past month.
Mr Blair said: "This has always been a tough task and people have understood it was going to be dangerous."
UK security implications
The 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is currently on standby for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It is believed additional helicopter support will also be announced. There may also be more engineers and armoured vehicles.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5163900.stm
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