"The
Taliban continue to use roadside bombs, suicide attacks and the most abhorrent
tactics known, such as beheadings. They have poisoned girls’ schools, murdered
teachers and students and poured acid on school children. Unfortunately, public
opinion hasn't been sufficiently mobilized. … The Afghan government and NATO
have failed in the propaganda war."
Over the last nine years, Taliban have been responsible
for the majority of civilian casualties. In challenging the government of
President Hamid Karzai and the international force fighting to secure the
country, the Taliban, along with other insurgent groups, continue to use
roadside bombs, suicide attacks and the most abhorrent tactics known, such as beheadings.
On August 1, a minibus full
of civilians was reportedly struck by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan,
killing six. Provincial spokesman Zalmai Ayubi commented that nine others were
wounded in the blast, which took place in Kandahar's Maiwand District, a Taliban
spiritual stronghold. Taliban suicide attacks, assassination campaigns and
roadside bombings have killed many other civilians.
It is important to point out
that in many areas, government employees and those working with international
organizations try not be recognized, because by doing so they risk their heads.
After their leader, Mullah Omar, issued an order to capture and kill any Afghan
that supports or works for coalition forces or the Karzai government, the
Taliban launched a wave of kidnappings and murder.
According to NATO records for
July, Taliban insurgents were responsible for at least 95 civilian deaths and wounding
another 235. Unfortunately, the Afghan government and NATO have been unable to tar
the militants with the carnage. Militant and insurgent propaganda, however, has
succeeded spectacularly in using casualties that result from the counter-insurgency
against Kabul and the international community.
International forces have tried
to cut the number of civilian casualties in an effort to win the Afghan hearts
and minds - and some of the casualties result from Taliban militants and other
insurgents mingling with them or taking shelter where they live. On the other
hand, the Taliban blatantly create an environment of fear by employing roadside
bombings and suicide attacks.
Militants have poisoned
girls’ schools, murdered teachers and students and poured acid on school children.
Unfortunately, public opinion hasn't been sufficiently mobilized. The cruelties
committed by Taliban and other insurgent groups serving foreign bosses continue.
The Afghan government and NATO
have simply failed in the propaganda war.
