That level of activity quote again:
now read that in conjunction with this piece:But in central Helmand, where the Taliban is still strong in pockets, fighting can be intense. One platoon from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment saw 21 contacts with the enemy in 27 days.
How does one interpret that?The US Marine Corps, responsible for much of the stability in Helmand, is planning to drop to as low as 6,000 troops within the next 10 months. Soon after, Britain is expected to start reducing its force of almost 10,000.
I suggest it is safe to conclude that ISAF have given up on trying to clear Helmand (which is the first step in the clear, hold, build theory which has apparently been applied in Afghanistan).
Another failed theory which will probably be (harshly) judged as another military defeat of the major powers by a rag tag band of mercenaries (the Taliban). It will be difficult to argue against claims of victory by the Taliban when the US Marines are all but gone and the Brits are reducing their forces and conceding ground to the Taliban.
It would be interesting to hear it from the smart guys who run ISAF how it can be explained that before the armed mercenaries of the Taliban have been killed, captured or dispersed out of the area ISAF can be contemplating a reduction in force levels.
On that platoon's 21 contacts in 27 days. One needs more context but it is fair to assume that these contacts did not produce significant results for either side and the Taliban stayed right there in the area.
One may also wonder why given that they knew where this group of Taliban were located that the battalion and even the brigade reserve were not deployed to deal decisively with them?
If the Brit military thought the Iraq enquiry was harsh on them they better stand-by for the one on their performance in Afghanistan, its going to be a rough ride.
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