More than 100 killed Afghanistan; Mullen: Troops build up to stem violence in Afghanistan; Gilani fears enhancement of Taliban infiltration into Pakistan; Robert Gates urges international community to provide more aid for Afghanistan
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • In a fierce firefight with Taliban insurgents in a mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan on May 28, the American and Afghan forces killed at least 29 militants in an operation1. In a separate statement, the Afghan Defense Ministry and NATO officials stated that more than 50 people were killed in a series of clashes in various parts of Afghanistan between May 28 and 292. Earlier on May 27, an NATO-led air-strike in Paktia province killed 20 Taliban insurgents3.

    Meanwhile, the chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said in an interview with ABC, that the current US troop buildup in Afghanistan will boost efforts at stemming the Taliban insurgency though he pointed out that a military solution alone was not enough to achieve success in Afghanistan4. However, expressing concern over the increased presence of the US forces in Afghanistan, the Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said that it would enhance the chances of Taliban infiltration into Pakistan5. The U.S. military said on May 31 that the majority of the 17,000 extra U.S. troops being sent to Afghanistan should be on the ground by mid-July. Another 4,000 troops to train Afghan security forces will be deployed by August this year6.

    Elsewhere, while delivering the key note address at “Shangri-La Dialogue,” an annual Asia Security Conference in Singapore on May 30, the U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged the international community to give more aid to Afghanistan to build infrastructure, expand its military and police, and ensure security for elections this year7.

    Top