US helps build anti-Taliban militia in Afghanistan

Sun Nov 22, 2009

The United States reportedly has begun helping anti-Taliban militias in Afghanistan to promote tribal rebellion against the militants.

According to the New York Times, the US hopes this could supplement American and Afghan forces already in place, as well as any extra troops President Barack Obama might send.

"The idea is to get people to take responsibility for their own security," the paper quoted an unnamed senior US military official as saying. "In many places they are already doing that."

The report, however, says aiding the growth of any anti-Taliban militia runs a risk that such groups could turn against the Afghan and US governments.

US officials say they will keep the groups small and will limit the scope of their activities to protecting villages and manning checkpoints.

The goal is to avoid repeating past mistakes, including the creation of more Afghan warlords, who have defied the US and Afghan government's authority for years.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/111889.html.