Taliban captures NATO outpost, Josef Litobarski

Josef Litobarski — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:00:20 +0000

Afghan officials confirmed on Wednesday that a small outpost in Wanat village in the north-east of the country was captured by the Taliban shortly after it was abandoned by NATO forces. A spokesperson from NATO said that outposts of this kind are designed to be temporary, but western military sources have suggested privately that the base was abandoned because it had been poorly sited. On Sunday, nine US soldiers were killed and fifteen wounded in an attack on the outpost, representing just over half of the soldiers garrisoned there. Taliban forces managed to penetrate the perimeter and enter the base, before being forced back. The outpost had only just been constructed, less than one week before it was abandoned.

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The outpost in Wanat village was part of a string of small bases set up to try and secure the border with Pakistan, where de-facto ceasefires between Pakistani military commanders and Taliban forces have effectively given militants a base to launch operations from. When the Taliban learned that US soldiers were setting up an outpost at Wanat, they entered the village (which surrounded the base on three sides) and attacked with machineguns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.

The US is increasingly concerned about the Taliban attacks coming from Pakistan, especially now that the time of year is nearing when such attacks become most common. The Afghan government has even accused the Pakistani intelligence services of facilitating attacks in Afghanistan, charges the Bush administration is apparently taking seriously. Now, with reports from some media that US forces are massing on the border with Pakistan and preparing for air-strikes, it looks as if US patience with Pakistan might be at an end.

Cambodian and Thai troops in border stand-off

A tense stand-off between Thai and Cambodian soldiers entered its second day on Wednesday. The dispute was sparked when Prear Vihear, an ancient temple complex in Cambodian territory, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site last week. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled the temple lay in Cambodia, but the main entrance to the complex lies in Thai territory. Thai nationalists believe that the UNESCO declaration is ceding part of Thailand to Cambodia.

The situation escalated when Thai protestors jumped a checkpoint and were arrested. Cambodia then accused Thai soldiers of trespassing in its territory, and a Thai soldier was apparently injured by a Cambodian landmine. Thailand has denied any incursion, but a senior Thai military source told Associated Press that about 200 Thai troops have entered "disputed border territory." The Cambodian Information Minister, Khieu Kanharith, has admitted almost 400 Cambodian troops have been assembled along the border, but has called for calm and said that efforts are underway to diffuse the situation.

China announces crackdown on terror cells

Chinese state media has announced that 12 "terror cells" in Kashgar, a remote city in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang region, have been broken-up in the last year. China claims a significant terror threat exists in the region, but critics say the threat has been exaggerated to justify the suppression of anti-government dissent. Eighty-two people have been arrested in China this year accused of plotting attacks against the upcoming Olympic games. Last week, five people were shot dead last week in raids in Urimqi, the regional capital.

Tamil tiger base captured

The Sri Lankan government claims to have captured a key rebel naval base in the north of the country after fierce fighting in which at least 50 rebels and one soldier died. Military analysts say the capture of the base is an important victory for the government. The Tamil tigers have not yet commented on the reports, and independent journalists are banned from the conflict zone. The government of Sri Lanka has vowed to destroy the Tamil tigers by the end of the year.

Indian Maoists kill police commandos

At least 21 police commandos have been killed by Maoist "Naxal" rebels in eastern India. The policemen were patrolling in the southern Orissa when they hit a landmine. The Naxal movement says it is fighting for a more equal distribution of India's wealth, especially its mineral wealth. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the Naxalites the single greatest internal threat to Indian security. Last month, 35 police commandos were killed in an attack in the same area.

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Taliban captures NATO outpost, Josef Litobarski