New Afghan mission will end in failure, say Taliban

OTTAWA—Canada spent billions of dollars on military might and development aid in its efforts to wage war and make peace in Kandahar, but throughout the five-year mission, the battle of words was just as important.

It’s a fight the Taliban won, experts say.

The insurgency’s parting message to Canadians in Kandahar marked the pinnacle of the Taliban’s ongoing information campaign, which made many Afghans think twice about supporting foreign soldiers and also kept Canadians on their toes.

Their latest statement, issued to mark the end of Canada’s combat mission, was notable also for its tone.

Gone were the usual religious exhortations, exaggerated accounts of bravery and brazen demands that had generally characterized their public communications.

Instead, the Taliban asked the very same question many Canadians are asking themselves.

“The people of Canada have to ask their government and military chiefs what are the objectives and achievements that they have obtained during the past decade, apart from the innumerous losses in life and equipment,” reads the English translation of the statement, posted last week to the Taliban’s website.

“If they have no answer, then why (do) they allow them to continue their illegitimate intervention in Afghanistan under another title in the name of military training.”

With the end of the combat mission, Canadian soldiers have now moved to Kabul to assist in getting Afghan national security forces up to speed. That training exercise is destined to end in failure, the insurgents predict.

Full Article
Source: Toronto Star