Afghans Stepping Up in Afghanistan
If you’ve been reading, you know things are heating up in Afghanistan in more ways than one. What needs to be pointed out (again and again) is that the Afghani people (like the Iraqi people) are starting to step up and help – as a nation – against the bad guys in Afghanistan, wherever they’re coming from. This is so important it needs to be stressed. This is the hearts and minds and we’re winning them and the battle is turning.
For instance, a joint Afghan and coalition force detained one suspected militant after searching a compound on July 12, 2009 in Ghazni province as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt the flow of foreign fighters into the region. The combined force targeted a compound, near the village of Jahangir Kalay, which is about 100 kilometers southwest from the city of Ghazni. They went into action after receiving intelligence that indicated militant activity in the area. The force conducted the search without incident.
Ghazni province has seen increasing militant violence aimed at disrupting governance and security in the region. Militants continually seek to establish strongholds in the province to facilitate the movement of fighters, explosives and weapons into the country. No casualties occurred during this operation.
Again, though, the point is that Afghanistan – the new 21st century Afghanistan – is standing up on its own and with support from the US (and other nations) they’re starting to turn the tables on militants and others who would wish harm on the ancient (and yet newly born) nation in one of the hottest regions in the world recently. (And by recently I mean the last few hundred years at least…) Maybe it’s the barren landscape, the harsh inhospitality of the country. Whatever it is, they’ve been through a lot and now they’re getting help – publicly.
Sgt. Stryker out.
=================================================
Afghan, Coalition Forces Secure Barge Matal Mountains
A member of the Afghan national army calls for help as a member of the Afghan border police fires at Anti Afghanistan Forces in the mountains surrounding Barge Matal in Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan province, during Operation Mountain Fire, July 12. Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Force’s fought side by side during gun battle, which started in late afternoon and lasted until coalition and ANSF forces forced the insurgents to flee in the early evening. Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller
Gun Battle During Operation Mountain Fire in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
A U.S. Army Soldier with 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, scans for insurgent forces as small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades hit near U.S. and Afghan military positions inside the village of Barge Matal, during Operation Mountain Fire, in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12. International Security Assistance Forces alongside Afghan national security forces repelled the late afternoon attack. Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller
A U.S. Army Soldier with 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, fires at anti-Afghanistan forces in the hills surrounding the remote village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire, in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, July 12. U.S. and Afghan national security forces quickly secured the tiny mountain village, which was overwhelmed by AAF several days prior. Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller
Mortar Blasts Away During Operation Mountain Warrior
U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, fire mortar rounds at suspected Taliban fighting positions during Operation Mountain Fire, in the village of Barge Matal in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12. During the Operation, U.S. and Afghan national security forces secured the remote mountain village, which was overwhelmed by insurgent forces several days prior. Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller