Karzai orders US forces out of Afghan regions in two weeks

[Yusuf]

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded on Sunday the withdrawal of US special forces from Wardak and Logar within two weeks, accusing them of fuelling "insecurity and instability" in the volatile provinces neighbouring the capital Kabul.

"In today's national security council meeting ... President Karzai ordered the ministry of defence to kick out the US special forces from Wardak and Logar provinces within two weeks," said presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi.

"The US special forces and illegal armed groups created by them are causing insecurity, instability, and harass local people in these provinces," he told a press conference.

The announcement would be another blow to the prestige of US-led forces as they prepare to withdraw combat troops from the war against Taliban Islamist insurgents by the end of next year.

The bulk of Nato's 100,000 troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

A US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) spokesman said he was aware of the reported comments by Faizi.

"We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and go to great lengths to determine the facts surrounding them," he said.

"Until we have had a chance to speak with senior (Afghan) officials about this issue we are not in a position to comment further. This is an important issue that we intend to fully discuss with our Afghan counterparts."

More than 3,200 Nato troops, mostly Americans, have died in support of Karzai's government in the war since the Taliban were ousted by a US invasion in 2001, but relations between the president and the US are often prickly.

Karzai orders US forces out of Afghan regions in two weeks - TOI Mobile | The Times of India Mobile Site

 

[Daredevil]

What kind of insecurity and instability US forces are spreading in those provinces is not clear from the article. Were they hands-in-glove with Pakistani establishment or Pak backed militants?.

 

[Yatharth Singh]

This was a shocking reaction from Afghanistan, for me.

 

[LurkerBaba]

Huh ? Is Karzai expecting Chinese support ?
@datguy79 Your thoughts ?

 

[nrj]

He is posturing. He must look as strong independent person in front of ordinary Afganis and not as someone remotely controlled from Amrika. Having said that US private security forces are known for being ruthless, it must not have been any pleasant experience for locals.

 

[Yusuf]

Karzai has a history of coming up with all kinds of statements and orders. Somehow he remains the best bet overall for the west and India as their seems no good pro west leader.

 

[Daredevil]

This was a shocking reaction from Afghanistan, for me.

He was referring to only two provinces not whole Afghanistan. He is referring to US forces which are up to some kind of mischief according to him.

 

[Yatharth Singh]

Although IF Afgan National Security Forces are ready to take over the responsibility then its a good call. IF not then must say that Mr. Karzai must re-think upon his decision. Even though I believe that they can shoulder the responsibility now.

He was referring to only two provinces not whole Afghanistan. He is referring to US forces which are up to some kind of mischief according to him.

I knew that bro.

 

[datguy79]

What kind of insecurity and instability US forces are spreading in those provinces is not clear from the article. Were they hands-in-glove with Pakistani establishment or Pak backed militants?.

They have probably been doing two things:

- night raids without Afghan SOF
- creating their own militias who apparently clean house with people's valuables during searches

Logar and Wardak are swarming with Taliban. I am sure at this point the Afghan special forces can do as good of a job as the Americans.

Huh ? Is Karzai expecting Chinese support ?
@datguy79 Your thoughts ?

Chinese support/influence is GREATLY exaggerated. Yes they own the rights to a gigantic copper mine and a few oil blocks but they provided us with the deal that left us the most cash in the end, and you have to feed your people somehow anyway.

I think this is just Karzai pandering to HIG, which has a presence in these provinces. "Reformed" HIG members such as Karzai's chief of staff Karim Khurram and Education Minister Farooq Wardak wield a lot of influence over him (as well as being pro-Pakistan). I guess this is just Karzai throwing a bone to the HIG to make them join the peace process.

He is posturing. He must look as strong independent person in front of ordinary Afganis and not as someone remotely controlled from Amrika. Having said that US private security forces are known for being ruthless, it must not have been any pleasant experience for locals.

Karzai has nothing to lose. His term is done in April 2014. This is just a lame-duck president and his staff royally screwing things up before their term is done.

Karzai has a history of coming up with all kinds of statements and orders. Somehow he remains the best bet overall for the west and India as their seems no good pro west leader.

This is not true. Every major leader is pro-India and pro-West. India is losing leverage through its own doing by being slack in implementing some aspects of the strategic agreement and not providing weapons because of Pakistan.