The Taliban have threatened to destroy mobile phone towers and the offices of mobile phone companies in Afghanistan if the companies don't agree to stop mobile phone calls between 5:00 pm and 3:00 am each day. Zabiullah Mujaheed, a Taliban spokesman, said the movement was giving mobile phone companies three days to comply.
According to the Taliban, US forces in Afghanistan have been using night-time calls to track down members of the mililtant movement.
Mobile phones were first introduced in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban government in 2001 (BBC).
Showing posts with label War in Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War in Afghanistan. Show all posts
25 February 2008
17 February 2008
Taliban blamed for Kandahar suicide bombing
At least 65 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a dog fighting match in Kandahar. According to Kandahar governor Assadullah Khalid, the Taliban carried out the attack. One of the people killed was a police chief called Abdul Hakim, and he is thought to have been the main target of the attack (BBC).
31 January 2008
Al-Qaeda commander reportedly killed
According to a pro-militant website, a top-level Al-Qaeda commander, Abu Laith al-Libi, was killed earlier this week in the North Waziristan Agency of Pakistan. According to a Pakistani newspaper, Libi died in a US air strike. The US suspected Libi of being behind several suicide bombings in Afghanistan (BBC).
03 December 2007
Afghans oppose the Taliban, want NATO to stay for now
The results of a poll conducted in Afghanistan between October and November 2007 indicate that Afghans oppose the Taliban and support both President Hamid Karzai and his American backers, along with their NATO allies. The poll, commissioned by the BBC World Service, ABC News and the German network ARD, involved interviews with 1,377 Afghans from different parts of the country.
Some results (taken from this PDF):
54% of Afghans believe their country is headed in the right direction. The biggest factor in this view is "good security". For those who believe Afghanistan is headed in the wrong direction, the biggest reason is problems with the economy.
According to 30% of Afghans, the biggest problem currently facing Afghanistan is "security/warlords/attacks/violence". According to 26%, the Taliban is the biggest problem.
"Security from crime and violence" was the biggest priority for the largest number of Afghans (28%). "Getting U.S. troops out of Afghanistan" was the topmost priority for only 3% of Afghans.
15% of Afghans rate work done by the current Afghan government as excellent, and 44% rate it as good.
26% of Afghans rate work done by Karzai as excellent, and 37% rate it as good.
8% of Afghans rate the role of the US in Afghanistan as excellent, and 35% rate it as good. 21% rate it as poor.
84% of Afghans want the current government to continue ruling the country. 4% would rather have the Taliban rule.
52% of Afghans believe that the Taliban is the biggest danger to the country. 10% think the US is.
Asked their opinion about the 2001 US invasion which toppled the Taliban government, 35% of Afghans rated the intervention as very good, and 40% rated it as mostly good.
20% of Afghans strongly support the presence of US troops in Afghanistan today, while 51% support it somewhat.
25% of Afghans strongly support the presence of NATO and ISAF forces in Afghanistan today, while 42% support it somewhat.
1% of Afghans strongly support the presence of foreign "Jihadi fighters" in Afghanistan, while 13% support it somewhat.
1% of Afghans strongly support Taliban fighters, while 4% support them somewhat.
Asked whom they blame the most for the violence seen in Afghanistan today, 36% fo Afghans named the Taliban, 22% named al-Qaeda and "foreign jihadis". 16% named the US or George Bush, and 3% blamed NATO and ISAF member-states.
42% of Afghans think the Taliban have grown stronger over the past year.
60% of Afghans believe that the government should negotiate a peace settlement with the Taliban.
74% of Afghans think that attacks against US forces in Afghanistan are not justified.
77% of Afghans think that attacks against non-American NATO or ISAF forces are not justified.
91% of Afghans think that attacks against the Afghan police or army are not justified.
94% of Afghans think that attacks against officials of the Afghan government are not justified.
42% of Afghans believe that US forces should leave the country only after security is restored there.
43% believe that non-US NATO and ISAF forces should leave only after security is restored in Afghanistan.
Only 3% of Afghans think the Taliban have a "very strong presence" in their area, while 7% think they have a "fairly strong presence".
By contrast, 11% of Afghans think that US/NATO/ISAF forces have a "very strong presence" in their area, and 39% think they have a "fairly strong presence".
3% of Afghans think that "foreign jihadis" have a "very strong presence" in their area, and 11% think they have a "fairly strong presence".
35% of Afghans are very confident and 47% are fairly confident that the Afghan government can provide security in their area.
1% of Afghans are very confident and 7% are fairly confident that the Taliban can provide security in their area.
12% of Afghans are very confident and 40% are fairly confident that US/NATO/ISAF forces can provide security in their area.
2% of Afghans are very confident and 10% are fairly confident that "foreign jihadis" can provide security in their area.
69% of Afghans believe the Pakistani government allows the Taliban to operate from its territory.
62% of Afghans believe the cultivation of opium is "unacceptable in all cases".
84% of Afghans think their government should "kill off" the poppy crop.
69% of Afghans have a very unfavourable view of the Taliban, while 15% have a somewhat unfavourable view of them.
76% of Afghans have a very unfavourable view of Osama bin Laden, while 11% have a somewhat unfavourable view of them.
48% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of the US, while 17% have a very favourable view of it.
38% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of the UK, while 11% have a very favourable view of it.
49% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of Germany, while 22% have a very favourable view of it.
38% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of Iran, while 14% have a very favourable view of it.
63% of Afghans have a very unfavourable view of Pakistan and 16% have a somewhat unfavourable view of it.
Some results (taken from this PDF):
54% of Afghans believe their country is headed in the right direction. The biggest factor in this view is "good security". For those who believe Afghanistan is headed in the wrong direction, the biggest reason is problems with the economy.
According to 30% of Afghans, the biggest problem currently facing Afghanistan is "security/warlords/attacks/violence". According to 26%, the Taliban is the biggest problem.
"Security from crime and violence" was the biggest priority for the largest number of Afghans (28%). "Getting U.S. troops out of Afghanistan" was the topmost priority for only 3% of Afghans.
15% of Afghans rate work done by the current Afghan government as excellent, and 44% rate it as good.
26% of Afghans rate work done by Karzai as excellent, and 37% rate it as good.
8% of Afghans rate the role of the US in Afghanistan as excellent, and 35% rate it as good. 21% rate it as poor.
84% of Afghans want the current government to continue ruling the country. 4% would rather have the Taliban rule.
52% of Afghans believe that the Taliban is the biggest danger to the country. 10% think the US is.
Asked their opinion about the 2001 US invasion which toppled the Taliban government, 35% of Afghans rated the intervention as very good, and 40% rated it as mostly good.
20% of Afghans strongly support the presence of US troops in Afghanistan today, while 51% support it somewhat.
25% of Afghans strongly support the presence of NATO and ISAF forces in Afghanistan today, while 42% support it somewhat.
1% of Afghans strongly support the presence of foreign "Jihadi fighters" in Afghanistan, while 13% support it somewhat.
1% of Afghans strongly support Taliban fighters, while 4% support them somewhat.
Asked whom they blame the most for the violence seen in Afghanistan today, 36% fo Afghans named the Taliban, 22% named al-Qaeda and "foreign jihadis". 16% named the US or George Bush, and 3% blamed NATO and ISAF member-states.
42% of Afghans think the Taliban have grown stronger over the past year.
60% of Afghans believe that the government should negotiate a peace settlement with the Taliban.
74% of Afghans think that attacks against US forces in Afghanistan are not justified.
77% of Afghans think that attacks against non-American NATO or ISAF forces are not justified.
91% of Afghans think that attacks against the Afghan police or army are not justified.
94% of Afghans think that attacks against officials of the Afghan government are not justified.
42% of Afghans believe that US forces should leave the country only after security is restored there.
43% believe that non-US NATO and ISAF forces should leave only after security is restored in Afghanistan.
Only 3% of Afghans think the Taliban have a "very strong presence" in their area, while 7% think they have a "fairly strong presence".
By contrast, 11% of Afghans think that US/NATO/ISAF forces have a "very strong presence" in their area, and 39% think they have a "fairly strong presence".
3% of Afghans think that "foreign jihadis" have a "very strong presence" in their area, and 11% think they have a "fairly strong presence".
35% of Afghans are very confident and 47% are fairly confident that the Afghan government can provide security in their area.
1% of Afghans are very confident and 7% are fairly confident that the Taliban can provide security in their area.
12% of Afghans are very confident and 40% are fairly confident that US/NATO/ISAF forces can provide security in their area.
2% of Afghans are very confident and 10% are fairly confident that "foreign jihadis" can provide security in their area.
69% of Afghans believe the Pakistani government allows the Taliban to operate from its territory.
62% of Afghans believe the cultivation of opium is "unacceptable in all cases".
84% of Afghans think their government should "kill off" the poppy crop.
69% of Afghans have a very unfavourable view of the Taliban, while 15% have a somewhat unfavourable view of them.
76% of Afghans have a very unfavourable view of Osama bin Laden, while 11% have a somewhat unfavourable view of them.
48% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of the US, while 17% have a very favourable view of it.
38% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of the UK, while 11% have a very favourable view of it.
49% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of Germany, while 22% have a very favourable view of it.
38% of Afghans have a somewhat favourable view of Iran, while 14% have a very favourable view of it.
63% of Afghans have a very unfavourable view of Pakistan and 16% have a somewhat unfavourable view of it.
06 November 2007
40 killed in Afghanistan by suicide bomber
A suicide bomber has allegedly set off an explosion in which 40 people, mostly civilians and including children, were killed in Afghanistan's Baghlan Province today.
The attacker targeted a sugar factory where a visit by a parliamentary delegation was underway. Six MPs, including the opposition politician Mustafa Kazimi, a veteran of the anti-Soviet struggle, were killed in the attack. The children who were killed were there to welcome the MPs.
The Taliban have denied responsibility for the bombing, and have condemned the attack (BBC).
I am inclined to believe the Taliban on this one, mostly because how far away this attack was from their usual area of activity. However, I wouldn't put it past them to do this sort of thing elsewhere in the country. The Taliban are no strangers to using suicide bombing, without regard to civilian casualties, as a means to try to evict NATO soldiers from Afghanistan.
The attacker targeted a sugar factory where a visit by a parliamentary delegation was underway. Six MPs, including the opposition politician Mustafa Kazimi, a veteran of the anti-Soviet struggle, were killed in the attack. The children who were killed were there to welcome the MPs.
The Taliban have denied responsibility for the bombing, and have condemned the attack (BBC).
I am inclined to believe the Taliban on this one, mostly because how far away this attack was from their usual area of activity. However, I wouldn't put it past them to do this sort of thing elsewhere in the country. The Taliban are no strangers to using suicide bombing, without regard to civilian casualties, as a means to try to evict NATO soldiers from Afghanistan.
30 August 2007
Taliban release Korean hostages
The Taliban have handed over the last of the South Korean hostages they were holding to the International Committee of the Red Cross. In exchange, South Korea has confirmed that it would withdraw its 200 soldiers from Afghanistan, as it had already been planning to do, and also that it would prevent its citizens from travelling to Afghanistan for missionary activity or any other purpose (BBC).
I wonder how the South Korean government is supposed to enforce its travel ban to Afghanistan. Can't any South Korean who wants to go to Afghanistan go to a third country with an Afghan embassy, obtain a visa, and go there?
I guess one way is for it to make a deal with the Afghan government that would guarantee a blanket policy of denying Afghan visas to South Korean citizens. But then would the Afghan government be willing to make such a concession to the Taliban?
I wonder how the South Korean government is supposed to enforce its travel ban to Afghanistan. Can't any South Korean who wants to go to Afghanistan go to a third country with an Afghan embassy, obtain a visa, and go there?
I guess one way is for it to make a deal with the Afghan government that would guarantee a blanket policy of denying Afghan visas to South Korean citizens. But then would the Afghan government be willing to make such a concession to the Taliban?
22 July 2007
South Koreans to negotiate with Taliban over hostages
A group of South Korean envoys are in Afghanistan in order to negotiate with the Taliban about 23 of their citizens who are being held hostage by the militant group. The Afghan army has surrounded the Taliban position in Ghazni Province where the militants are holding the South Koreans hostage.
The Afghan deputy interior minister, Gen. Munir Mangal, said that, since the Pashtuns are known for their hospitality, he hoped the Taliban would treat the South Koreans with respect (BBC).
It seems a little much to expect the Taliban to show hospitality to their hostages, now doesn't it? But there's no harm in reminding them of the values they hold so dear; after all, they sheltered Osama bin Laden in 2001 on the pretext that their hospitality is inviolable.
The Afghan deputy interior minister, Gen. Munir Mangal, said that, since the Pashtuns are known for their hospitality, he hoped the Taliban would treat the South Koreans with respect (BBC).
It seems a little much to expect the Taliban to show hospitality to their hostages, now doesn't it? But there's no harm in reminding them of the values they hold so dear; after all, they sheltered Osama bin Laden in 2001 on the pretext that their hospitality is inviolable.
21 July 2007
Korean and German hostages in danger in Afghanistan
The Afghan government has denied the Taliban's claims to have executed two German hostages it was holding, saying that one of them was still alive, while the other had died of a heart attack.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has kidnapped upto 23 South Korean Christians, who came to Afghanistan to preach and provide aid. According to Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, the movement would start executing the South Koreans unless 23 Taliban prisoners were released (BBC).
By kidnapping civilians, the Taliban is making it that much harder for those in the international community who advocate a negotiated end to the war in Afghanistan. It seems they are not interested in finding a way out of the conflict, but are instead trying to live off it. This strategy may backfire if Afghan civilians eventually tire of their suicide bombings, kidnappings, and other violations of common decency.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has kidnapped upto 23 South Korean Christians, who came to Afghanistan to preach and provide aid. According to Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, the movement would start executing the South Koreans unless 23 Taliban prisoners were released (BBC).
By kidnapping civilians, the Taliban is making it that much harder for those in the international community who advocate a negotiated end to the war in Afghanistan. It seems they are not interested in finding a way out of the conflict, but are instead trying to live off it. This strategy may backfire if Afghan civilians eventually tire of their suicide bombings, kidnappings, and other violations of common decency.
21 June 2007
Taliban turn to suicide bombing
The Taliban seem to be deploying increasing numbers of suicide bombers in their war against NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan. The movement is copying tactics used by insurgents in Iraq.
Arsala Jamal, the Governor of Khost Province, sees the use of this tactic by the Taliban as a sign of desperation. Most of the volunteers for suicide bombing operations are teenage boys lured by the Taliban by promises of paradise; this fact might indicate a shortage of adult recruits ready to engage in conventional combat.
Nevertheless, suicide bombing has so far proved an effective tactic for the Taliban (BBC).
The question is: do the Taliban also tell their recruits that suicide is forbidden in Islam, or do they conveniently forget to do so?
Arsala Jamal, the Governor of Khost Province, sees the use of this tactic by the Taliban as a sign of desperation. Most of the volunteers for suicide bombing operations are teenage boys lured by the Taliban by promises of paradise; this fact might indicate a shortage of adult recruits ready to engage in conventional combat.
Nevertheless, suicide bombing has so far proved an effective tactic for the Taliban (BBC).
The question is: do the Taliban also tell their recruits that suicide is forbidden in Islam, or do they conveniently forget to do so?
09 June 2007
Former Taliban media head defects
Ishaq Nizami, who served as head of the radio and TV directorate under the Taliban from 1996 to 2001, has left the movement, and may join the current Afghan government. In response, the Taliban have claimed that Nizami was brainwashed.
While Nizami held his position under the Taliban, there were no TV broadcasts in the country, as the radical Islamist movement had banned the medium entirely.
According to other ex-Taliban media workers, Nizami helped preserve Afghanistan's art and film archives from destruction by his fellow Taliban members (BBC).
I hope this defection encourages others to follow suit, so that the various political currents of Afghanistan can cooperate in building the country's future, instead of continuing the fratricidal war currently underway.
[This post was written in Toronto.]
While Nizami held his position under the Taliban, there were no TV broadcasts in the country, as the radical Islamist movement had banned the medium entirely.
According to other ex-Taliban media workers, Nizami helped preserve Afghanistan's art and film archives from destruction by his fellow Taliban members (BBC).
I hope this defection encourages others to follow suit, so that the various political currents of Afghanistan can cooperate in building the country's future, instead of continuing the fratricidal war currently underway.
[This post was written in Toronto.]
23 May 2007
Survey of American Muslims released
The Pew Research Center has released a large-scale survey of American Muslims, which gauges their opinion on subjects like the the American lifestyle, Islamist extremism, September 11, discrimination, US foreign policy (including the Iraq War), religious observance, homosexuality, President George Bush, and US domestic politics.
The survey also attempted to find out the number of Muslims in the United States, as well as the national, racial, sectarian, age and gender composition of the community. Finally, the respondents were asked about their incomes, education levels, employment, and, importantly, their interpretations and opinions concerning religious matters, such as the Qur'an, and the way mosques operate.
The survey sample consisted of 1,050 Muslims, and participants were paid $50 for taking part. The survey was conducted over landline telephones.
You can view the Pew Research Center's complete report in a PDF file.
Here, though, is a sample of the results:
The survey found that Muslims make up only 0.6% of the US population, which means that there are 1.4 million Muslims over the age of 18 in the United States. This is substantially lower than the currently widely accepted estimate of 6 million Muslims, but the latter number includes children. If we multiply 0.6% by the total US population, i.e. 301.7 million, we get 1.8 million Muslims. However, because American Muslims are a younger population on average than the overall American population, that number is likely to be higher.
65% of American Muslims are foreign-born, while the other 35% are native-born. Only 14% of American Muslims are people who were born into Muslim families in the US. 21% of American Muslims are converts.
It seems that American Muslims are optimists. 71% said that it is possible to "get ahead with hard work", while only 64% of the general public agreed with the statement. Also, interestingly enough, 38% of American Muslims are satisfied with the current state of the United States, while only 32% of the general public are.
43% of American Muslims think that "Muslims coming to the U.S. today should adopt American customs". 62% believe that "life is better for women here than in Muslim countries".
51% of American Muslims are "very concerned about Islamic extremism in the world these days".
53% of American Muslims believe that it is more difficult to be a Muslim in the US since September 11. 54% think that the government singles Muslims out for surveillance. Only 25%, however, report being victims of discrimination "as a Muslim in the U.S."
75% of American Muslims (as opposed to 47% of Americans in general) think that starting the war in Iraq was a wrong decision. 48% of American Muslims (as opposed to 29% of Americans in general) are against the war in Afghanistan.
83% of American Muslims said that suicide bombing could rarely or never be justified. 68% have a somewhat or very unfavourable view of Al-Qaeda. However, only 40% believe that Arabs carried out the September 11 attacks on the United States.
The discussion of this fascinating survey will continue on Notes on Religion in the coming days, God willing.
This is the second (of four) posts in a Notes on Religion series on the Pew Research Center's survey of American Muslims, released in May 2007. Here are links to the other three:
[First post] [Second Post] [Third Post] [Fourth Post]
The survey also attempted to find out the number of Muslims in the United States, as well as the national, racial, sectarian, age and gender composition of the community. Finally, the respondents were asked about their incomes, education levels, employment, and, importantly, their interpretations and opinions concerning religious matters, such as the Qur'an, and the way mosques operate.
The survey sample consisted of 1,050 Muslims, and participants were paid $50 for taking part. The survey was conducted over landline telephones.
You can view the Pew Research Center's complete report in a PDF file.
Here, though, is a sample of the results:
The survey found that Muslims make up only 0.6% of the US population, which means that there are 1.4 million Muslims over the age of 18 in the United States. This is substantially lower than the currently widely accepted estimate of 6 million Muslims, but the latter number includes children. If we multiply 0.6% by the total US population, i.e. 301.7 million, we get 1.8 million Muslims. However, because American Muslims are a younger population on average than the overall American population, that number is likely to be higher.
65% of American Muslims are foreign-born, while the other 35% are native-born. Only 14% of American Muslims are people who were born into Muslim families in the US. 21% of American Muslims are converts.
It seems that American Muslims are optimists. 71% said that it is possible to "get ahead with hard work", while only 64% of the general public agreed with the statement. Also, interestingly enough, 38% of American Muslims are satisfied with the current state of the United States, while only 32% of the general public are.
43% of American Muslims think that "Muslims coming to the U.S. today should adopt American customs". 62% believe that "life is better for women here than in Muslim countries".
51% of American Muslims are "very concerned about Islamic extremism in the world these days".
53% of American Muslims believe that it is more difficult to be a Muslim in the US since September 11. 54% think that the government singles Muslims out for surveillance. Only 25%, however, report being victims of discrimination "as a Muslim in the U.S."
75% of American Muslims (as opposed to 47% of Americans in general) think that starting the war in Iraq was a wrong decision. 48% of American Muslims (as opposed to 29% of Americans in general) are against the war in Afghanistan.
83% of American Muslims said that suicide bombing could rarely or never be justified. 68% have a somewhat or very unfavourable view of Al-Qaeda. However, only 40% believe that Arabs carried out the September 11 attacks on the United States.
The discussion of this fascinating survey will continue on Notes on Religion in the coming days, God willing.
This is the second (of four) posts in a Notes on Religion series on the Pew Research Center's survey of American Muslims, released in May 2007. Here are links to the other three:
[First post] [Second Post] [Third Post] [Fourth Post]
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