Nato forces ‘surprised’ at Afghan violence
Nato forces were surprised at the “level of intensity” of opposition in Afghanistan, the alliance’s top commander has admitted.
General James Jones called on Nato allies to provide reinforcements in the south of the country, where 40 British soldiers have been killed since they were deployed in 2001.
Almost half of these deaths have occurred in the past week, including three yesterday, prompting concerns that the international force had been unprepared for the challenge.
“We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics,” General Jones admitted to reporters at Nato’s European headquarters in Belgium.
He was speaking ahead of a meeting with commanders from the 26 Nato nations in Poland this weekend, and said he will use the opportunity to call for reinforcements.
Extra helicopters, transport planes and troops would “help us reduce casualties and help us bring this to a successful conclusion in a shorter period of time”, he said.
But General Jones expressed hope that “certainly before the winter, we will see this decisive moment in the region turn favourably to the forces that represent the [Afghan] government and the efforts we are trying to achieve”.
His comments reflect a call by Foreign Office minister Kim Howells on Monday for other Nato members to provide more support for the international force attempting to tackle the drugs trade in southern Afghanistan.
“It’s a big international effort and it requires more resources from other countries.there are certainly six other countries involved in Afghanistan at the moment but it’s quite clear that they need to be putting more resources in than they are at the moment,” he said.
However, he stressed that General Richards, who is in charge of the 4,000 British troops stationed in the region, believed he had sufficient resources for the moment.
The Conservatives welcomed General Jones’ call for reinforcements, saying a “disproportionate share” of the burden for the Nato operation in Afghanistan was being assumed by the UK and Canada.
But shadow defence minister Gerald Howarth warned: “The government is failing to provide sufficient support for the hard-pressed British infantry.
“The helicopter force is working at full stretch and so short of spares that otherwise serviceable helicopters are being robbed for parts. When our armed forces are under such pressure they need Gordon Brown to provide them with the kit they need to do the job.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell warned that Afghanistan was a “serious test for the credibility of Nato”.
“If all of its members are not willing to make a proper contribution then the alliance will be badly damaged. Nato must fulfil its responsibilities,” he said.
