Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Northern Afghan violence undercuts US supply route
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Northern Afghan violence undercuts US supply route
By LORI HINNANT and AMIR SHAH,Associated Press Writers -
Saturday, September 26
Send
IM Story
Print
POL-I-KUMRI, Afghanistan – Growing Taliban influence in northern Afghanistan is threatening a new military supply line painstakingly negotiated by the U.S., as rising violence takes hold on the one-time Silk Road route.
The north has deteriorated over just a few months, showing how quickly Taliban influence is spreading in a once peaceful area. Local officials say the Taliban are establishing a shadow government along the dilapidated road that ultimately could prevent vital supplies carried in hundreds of trucks every week from reaching the military. It also raises the danger that the supplies could end up in militant hands as fodder for suicide attacks.
People in Baghlan and Kunduz provinces complain that international forces, the government in Kabul and aid have passed them by in favor of more troublesome regions. Militants are taking advantage of that resentment, and control by either Afghan or international forces is slipping.
"For the past two to three years, it's deteriorated day by day," said Ahmad Jawid, 43, a car dealer who sat in the shade with a half-dozen friends watching the highway in Baghlan's provincial capital, Pol-i-Kumri. "The people are demoralized."
A young man in the group had an easy smile but spoke bitterly on Wednesday when asked about the Taliban.
"I'm engaged and I can't go to the village of my fiancee," said 23-year-old Farshad, who like many Afghans goes by only one name. The village fell to the Taliban before the wedding could be planned. "I'm going to wait for the situation to get worse or get better. Otherwise I'll have to become a Talib."
Just to the north, Kunduz province is home to the first leg of the highway. The full northern route, which starts in Europe and snakes through Central Asia to Afghanistan, was cobbled together by the U.S. earlier this year after Taliban violence repeatedly disrupted the two main Pakistani routes.
Local officials and analysts say the militants want to show they can control the north and take over the supplies. Taliban militants hijacked two fuel trucks on the highway on Sept. 4, and German forces in Kunduz called in an airstrike by U.S. fighter pilots, saying they feared the trucks could be used in suicide bombings. Thirty civilians and 69 armed Taliban died in the strike, according to a probe by an Afghan presidential commission.
"The mere fact that the trucks were hijacked, the mere fact that we had this level of challenge to the government's control and sovereignty to me shows we need an effort here," U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal said in a recent news conference.
Kunduz was among the last Taliban strongholds during the 2001 U.S. invasion that drove the Islamic government from power, and _ until this year _ had been relatively peaceful, despite a largely Pashtun population sympathetic to the militants. That began to change after the Taliban solidified control in the south as U.S. supply lines from Pakistan came under increasing attack.
The U.S. looked to Afghanistan's north for alternatives. So did militants.
The more than 200-mile (300 kilometer) highway from Kunduz down to the Kabul area is one of four overland lifelines for the supplies that enter Afghanistan every day. By Afghan standards the road is good, but the highway is punctuated every few miles by stretches that are nothing more than rough rock and passes under towering mountains through a crumbling tunnel that is often flooded and barely paved.
Navy Capt. Carl Weiss, of the U.S. Transportation Command, which handles the logistics of supplying American troops, said the northern route, which also includes a train line from Uzbekistan, supplies about 300 containers a week to coalition forces.
"We move the cargo in plain sight. Our containers look like every other container on the road," Weiss said. Because they are unmarked and the U.S. contracts with local transportation companies, he said, they don't draw particular attention.
Paul Quinn-Judge, Central Asian project director for International Crisis Group, suggested the U.S. reliance on the northern route may be a miscalculation.
"I think they are overly sanguine about the amount they can push through Central Asia and you really hope that they're doing some planning. This is one of those situations where things could conceivably go bad very fast," he said.
Meanwhile, Quinn-Judge said, the newly paved highway and bridge leading into Central Asia essentially means "the jihadists' own route has been reopened."
Abdul Razaq Yaqoubi, the Kunduz police chief, said the convoys have made a tenuous situation worse. The Americans, he complained, tell no one when the trucks are coming through or how many to expect and the police forces are understaffed.
In Baghlan, Zalmay Mangal, the province's deputy police chief, said violence worsened right around the same time that the supplies started moving through in large numbers. He does not blame the convoys, but he and the Kunduz police chief said the truck traffic is a tempting target.
"One of the main reasons (for the new insecurity) is the NATO and coalition supply convoys," said Yaqoubi. The other reasons, he added, are poverty and anger at the government.
Mangal said more coalition troops could help; McChrystal and the Germans prefer to emphasize building up local Afghan forces.
"The enemy is not afraid of us," Mangal said of his police force. "They are afraid of our international allies."
___
Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and Frank Jordans contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
China indicts 21 people in July ethnic violence AP - Saturday, September 26
5 US troops killed as debate grows over Afghan war AP - Saturday, September 26
Northern Afghan violence undercuts US supply route AP - Saturday, September 26
China urging Iran to cooperate on nuclear facility AP - Saturday, September 26
1 in 10 suspect Afghan ballot boxes face recount AP - Saturday, September 26
News Search
Top Stories
BBVA sells 1 bln dlrs of property to Deutsche Bank
Kasparov beats Karpov in chess legends' rematch
Swine flu vaccines win approval
US durable goods orders slip in August
French banks sue for billions over Lehman collapse
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Water detected on the Moon
Strong dollar 'very important' to US: Geithner
'Party over' for bankers: British finance minister
New Confucius family tree hits two million
Credit Suisse poised for bonus pay-out: report
More Most Viewed »
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Search
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 26 September 2009 Iran must open nuke site, US, world chiefs demand
Kasparov beats Karpov in chess legends' rematch
Nokia caught up in Brazil brand name row
IAEA may inspect new nuclear site: Iran president
| International
|
BBVA sells 1 bln dlrs of property to Deutsche Bank
Bin Laden demands Europe withdraw Afghanistan troops
| International
|
Abbas says Israel freeze of settlements a must
| International
|
Waze turning road warriors into map builders
Swine flu vaccines win approval
Zelaya demands presidency as U.N. condemns Honduras
| International
|
Western leaders warn Iran over nuclear site
US durable goods orders slip in August
Kuwait censors 'terror' blogs
German election race narrows amid security threat
| International
|
Olmert graft trial opens in Jerusalem
French banks sue for billions over Lehman collapse
RIM seen facing increased market-share pressure
Olmert graft trial opens in Jerusalem
| International
|
Text of Obama, Sarkozy, Brown statements on Iran
EU seeks to ensure Microsoft ballot offers choices
Judge agrees to delay Google book case hearing
New Confucius family tree hits two million
Israel's ex-PM goes on trial on corruption charges
Iraq detains 109 in jail break investigation
Nokia caught up in Brazil brand name row
AEG president: Jackson movie should clear co. name
West demands access to Iran's secret nuclear plant
Sarkozy gives Iran December deadline
Twitter snags new investment, backers
| Technology
|
AT&T: net neutrality should apply to Web firms too
| Technology
|
Vanguard readies iPhone app as fund firms go mobile
| Technology
|
Rossellini ponders how to make online video pay
| Technology
|
China indicts 21 people in July ethnic violence
Coroner: 'Fed' written in pen on Ky. Census worker
Fresh bailouts for smaller banks being weighed
5 US troops killed as debate grows over Afghan war
Afghan war commander submits troop request
Second suspect charged in shooting of 4 NJ cops
Ohio AG to probe county auditor in Cleveland
Northern Afghan violence undercuts US supply route
China dismisses punishment for Iran nuke facility
1 in 10 suspect Afghan ballot boxes face recount
House Democrats considering insurance tax
AP NewsAlert
Kazakh media complain after probe shuts press
House passes bill to prevent government shutdown
Teens with own cars have more crashes, study finds
Utah gov backs limits on nonresident gun permits
China charges 21 over Xinjiang unrest: state media
Judge considers possible Elizabeth Smart testimony
Taiwan stops visit by Uighur leader
Indonesians oppose militants' burial plans
Sony's PS3 outsells Wii fivefold in Japan: survey
Emmy-winning actor to lead Hollywood union
Amid weakness at home, Ford, Toyota turn to China
Stability of US dollar key to global recovery: China
EU charges of pork protectionism 'groundless': China
Yen climbs after Japan minister's G20 remarks
First exhibition by Horia Damian in Romania since he left in 1946
Tajik migrants divorce by SMS, causing grief at home
Rossellini ponders how to make online video pay
| Entertainment
|
Bijou Phillips knew Mackenzie had sex with father
Croatia backs down on smoking ban
Mayor bans burqa in Italy spa resort
Sony's PS3 outsells Wii fivefold in Japan: survey
Families to collect Indonesian militants' remains
Warhol gives leaders' wives 15 minutes of provocation
Poverty gap widens in SAfrica: report
Castrati honored in opera star Bartoli's new album
Top British chef apologises to ill diners
Pump down the volume, EU to tell MP3 makers
German leaders appeal for votes as race tightens
Twitter gets new round of funding, new backers
Obama demands Iran come clean on nuclear program
| International
|
Taliban threatens Germany ahead of vote: official
Key sites in Iran's nuclear program
Defamation trial of Estemirova rights group chief opens
Five US soldiers killed in Afghanistan: NATO
Affluent and urban drawn to online social networks: Nielsen
US auto safety group wants to curb gadget use by truckers
Six killed in truck bomb attack in Pakistan
| International
|
Russia won't put missiles in Kaliningrad: Medvedev
| International
|
Google digs deeper into Internet search results
AT&T looks to flip net rules debate on Google
Koreans, split by war for 56 years, meet to say goodbye
| International
|
Twitter gets "significant" new funding
China lays first charges over Xinjiang riots
| International
|
Libya's Gaddafi met Lockerbie bomb victim relatives
| International
|
Vanguard readies iPhone app as fund firms go mobile
German election race narrows amid security threat
| International
|
Google says its voice service should not be regulated
Crime problem weighs on Bangladesh government
| International
|
US auto safety group wants to curb gadget use by truckers
Zelaya demands presidency as U.N. condemns Honduras
| International
|
Attorney: Anti-Iraq officer resigning from Army
Ahmadinejad: Iran is not violating IAEA rules
Oral Roberts inaugurates 3rd university president
Daughter of slain heiress believed dead in NY
Southern California wildfire 85 percent contained
Myanmar's Suu Kyi gives backing to U.S. engagement
AP sources: Guantanamo might not close by January
Twitter gets new round of funding, new backers
| Technology
|
Man convicted in death of father left to rot
Dozen killed in two bomb attacks in NW Pakistan
Anguilla native to be Gitmo jail deputy commander
China lays first charges over Xinjiang riots
Clinton unveils US food security initiative
Koreans, split by war for 56 years, meet to say goodbye
S Koreans head to N Korea for reunions
Indonesia corruption body under attack: activists
S.Korea: North must face "no choice" but to shed nuclear arms
Uighur leader disappointed by Taiwan
US names NKorea human rights envoy
China dismisses punishment for Iran nuke facility
Myanmar's Suu Kyi eases stance on sanctions
Pakistani c.bank buys 40.4 bln rupees of govt paper
Noodle giant plans secondary listing in Taiwan
IMF raises 2010 global growth forecast to 3 pct
Re-born G20 lays out bold financial reforms
New PM tells world Japan committed to recovery
Global economic rebound 'not solid': Chinese president Hu
"Beautiful Life" ends after two episodes
Rome film festival to showcase Clooney, Streep
Jackson lost will to live, confidante says
| Entertainment
|
Seth Rogen gets dream role: 'Simpsons' writer
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Flaming Lips dial down the whimsy on "Embryonic"
Beautiful Life ends after two episodes
| Entertainment
|
Seth Rogan gets dream role: `Simpsons' writer
Families identify Indonesian militants' remains
"Beautiful Life" ends after two episodes
Flaming Lips dial down the whimsy on Embryonic
| Entertainment
|
NY film festival kicks off with Resnais film
NY film festival kicks off with Resnais film
| Entertainment
|
Photos capture America's essence from road, air
Jackson lost will to live, confidante says
Rome film festival to showcase Clooney, Streep
US Navy looks at letting women serve on submarines
Obama accuses Iran of evasion before Geneva talks
No 'perfect' answers in Afghanistan: Obama
Ahmadinejad dismisses anger over new nuclear site
McChrystal troops request shelved pending review
| International
|
U.S. drone crashes into Iraq political party office
| International
|
Typhoon batters northern Philippines
| International
|
Merkel, Steinmeier in final push for German votes
| International
|
Turks pay final respects to Last Ottoman
| International
|
Madagascar government to protest at UN rejection
| International
|
Suicide bombs kill 16, wound about 150 in Pakistan
Koreans separated for more than 50 years reunite
Residents reject referendum on first Taiwan casino
Obama offers Iran `serious, meaningful dialogue'
Ex-wife: DC sniper said 'you have become my enemy'
Pakistan court session on Mumbai attacks delayed
Gadhafi meets with Lockerbie family members in NYC
Analysis: Wrestling with how to talk about race
China tells Myanmar to protect Chinese residents
Where's Palin? Big bucks for speech in Hong Kong
Thousands flee heavy Philippines rain, flooding
'10 dead, missing' as storm hits Philippines
Conan O'Brien hits head during 'Tonight' stunt
CW's 'Beautiful Life' axed after just 2 airings
Myanmar's Suu Kyi eases sanctions stance
Guests on Sunday news shows
Hong Kong publisher to issue banned China book
Tweeting Ugandan gorillas make friends online
| Technology
|
Bombs kill 15 in Pakistan towns: police
Japan sticks to G8 despite shift to G20
Keillor to host 1st 'Prairie Home' since stroke
Renowned Spanish pianist de Larrocha dies at 86
Works of Edward Hopper on display in Netherlands
Malaysian Muslims rock at Black Eyed Peas concert
AP NewsAlert
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights