KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Afghans gathered on the streets of Kabul on Thursday to protest and demand foreign troops to withdraw immediately from the Asian country. The protests came a day before the U.S.-led military operation reaches its 10th year.
Protesters attending the demonstration chanted slogans against the United States, but also against Iran, Pakistan, the Taliban and the Karzai government, the Pajhwok Afghan News agency reported. There were no significant incidents, but the protest ended with the burning of a U.S. flag while protesters called the Afghan government a U.S. puppet.
The protests were led by the relatively small left-wing National Solidarity Party, which has around 30,000 members but a high following in different parts of the country, including Kabul, Farah, Kunar, and Nangarhar, among other provinces.
Demonstrators claimed insecurity, violence and corruption had all risen during the past ten years despite the presence of foreign troops in the country. Some of those protesting went on to allege that the Taliban is being supported by the United States.
Angry protesters called on all international forces to withdraw immediately from the country, arguing that the strategic agreement signing, which would allow permanent U.S. bases in Afghanistan, would dishonor its history.
There are currently more than 130,000 NATO-led foreign troops in Afghanistan, including some 90,000 U.S. troops and more than 9,500 British soldiers. U.S. President Barack Obama previously ordered a drawdown of 10,000 American troops later this year, with another 23,000 U.S. troops to return home next year.
Friday marks the tenth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.
Thursday, October 6th, 2011
Source: WireUpdate.
Link: http://wireupdate.com/news/afghans-protest-in-kabul-to-demand-foreign-troops-to-leave.html.
Protesters attending the demonstration chanted slogans against the United States, but also against Iran, Pakistan, the Taliban and the Karzai government, the Pajhwok Afghan News agency reported. There were no significant incidents, but the protest ended with the burning of a U.S. flag while protesters called the Afghan government a U.S. puppet.
The protests were led by the relatively small left-wing National Solidarity Party, which has around 30,000 members but a high following in different parts of the country, including Kabul, Farah, Kunar, and Nangarhar, among other provinces.
Demonstrators claimed insecurity, violence and corruption had all risen during the past ten years despite the presence of foreign troops in the country. Some of those protesting went on to allege that the Taliban is being supported by the United States.
Angry protesters called on all international forces to withdraw immediately from the country, arguing that the strategic agreement signing, which would allow permanent U.S. bases in Afghanistan, would dishonor its history.
There are currently more than 130,000 NATO-led foreign troops in Afghanistan, including some 90,000 U.S. troops and more than 9,500 British soldiers. U.S. President Barack Obama previously ordered a drawdown of 10,000 American troops later this year, with another 23,000 U.S. troops to return home next year.
Friday marks the tenth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.
Thursday, October 6th, 2011
Source: WireUpdate.
Link: http://wireupdate.com/news/afghans-protest-in-kabul-to-demand-foreign-troops-to-leave.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.