The Afghanistan Conflict Thread

[snoopdoggydog]

Terrorism Grew With US Troops in Afghanistan - Ex-President Karzai

The terrorism in Afghanistan gained more strength amid the presence of US troops in Afghanistan, the former leader said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The US mission in Afghanistan carried out since 2001 has only deteriorated the political situation in the country, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said.

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama announced that Washington will keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan throughout most of 2016, further maintaining 5,500 troops in after 2016, instead of fully withdrawing all of its forces from the country by the next year, as originally planned.

"The presence of foreign forces under the name of fight against terrorism not only resulted to elimination of terrorism but during this period terrorism gained further strength," Karzai said in a statement on Saturday, as quoted saying by the Afghan Khaama Press agency.

The former Afghan president added that the Afghan people agreed with the sustained presence of foreign forces 14 years ago only with a hope to tackle terrorism and maintain peace in the country.

In recent months, the Afghan government has been faced with a resurgent Taliban and the spread of Islamic State extremists in several provinces

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20151018/1028696294/terrorism-us-troops-afghanistan-karzai.html

 

[Seriously]

The US must just withdraw and leave the ME to go down the sewers. The infighting will kill of any further progress and another Hussein will take control.

 

[Grant]

"The presence of foreign forces under the name of fight against terrorism not only resulted to elimination of terrorism but during this period terrorism gained further strength," Karzai said in a statement on Saturday, as quoted saying by the Afghan Khaama Press agency.

makes perfect sense

 

[Grant]

here's what the kremlin argus conveniently failed to mention:
the soviet invasion of afghanistan which led to a nine year war, 850 000 dead, gave birth to terrorism in the form of al-qaeda

- - - considers becoming a fox news correspondent since we have a kremlin argus correspondent here ---

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Is this still a thing?

 

[snoopdoggydog]

Taliban Struck US F-16 Jet in Rare Fire Attack in Afghanistan

A US F-16 was hit by Taliban militants in eastern Afghanistan. The incident occurred in eastern Paktia province, when surface-to-air fire hit one of the aircraft’s stabilizers.

The attack occurred on 13th October with the jet sustaining heavy damage. The pilot had to jettison two fuel tanks and three munitions bays before returning to base. The pilot was safe sustaining no injuries.

The militant group claimed they had downed the jet posting on Twitter that evening, but when contacted for comment, the US military initially said it had no "operational reporting to support the Taliban claims," AFP reported.

However, after presented with the images obtained by the AFP, US military confirmed the incident.

The latest generation of the F-16 has a price tag of more than $100 million per jet.

http://sputniknews.com/military/20151020/1028817302/us-afghanistan-taliban-us-f-16.html

 

[Alan]

and?

 

[Nether]

and?

I found it interesting, and you didn't? Why comment then.

 

[The Voice]

Didn't know they even still used F-16's.

 

[Nirv]

Didn't know they even still used F-16's.

F-16s and F-15s will probably remain in service until 2025 or later. Both have been significantly updated since the 70s. The F-16 is still highly capable, and the F-35 that's supposed to replace it is still going through a lot of issues (and also has a much higher unit cost).