Afghan Surge Worries Aid Groups

[tekisui]

Source: UPI

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- International aid groups operating in Afghanistan worry the influx of foreign troops into the country could make the situation worse for civilians.

U.S. President Barack Obama said in December he would send another 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan as part of an effort to prop up the government in Kabul. NATO officials followed with pledges of 7,000 soldiers.

Reto Stocker, the Kabul delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross, told the U.N. humanitarian news agency IRIN that more foreign troops might not help the situation in Afghanistan.

"In our experience, every massive increase in troops since 2005 has led to intensification and spreading of the conflict and an increase in civilian casualties," he said.

Aid groups and others say they fear mounting insecurity could place them in the sights of Taliban insurgents, making humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan even more risky.

A brazen Taliban attack on the Afghan capital Monday showed the group is resolved to fight even during the winter months, when fighting in Afghanistan normally subsides.

more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/01/19/Afghan-surge-worries-aid-groups/UPI-25301263931200/

[Flaneur]

1. They're right to be worried. This is going to be an ugly, bloody year over there.