Following the Taliban’s stubborn refusal to talk to Afghan government, Afghan forces have intensified and expanded counterinsurgency operations across the country in the cold days of winter which is viewed as the best time to track down and suppress the militants as snow-capped areas usually restrict the maneuverability of the rebels. However, these operations cause casualties to civilians besides the rebels. Just over the recent days, scores of civilians have been killed in the joint operations of Afghan and foreign forces in Wardak and Nangarhar provinces. At least nine people, including women and children, have reportedly been killed in the Tangi Valley of Wardak’s Saidabad district and over 10 others in Nangarhar’s Hesarak district.
Afghan forces seem to have been ordered to exact revenge on the Taliban for Afghan government’s exclusion from the peace talks and also the Taliban’s bullheaded rejection to come to the negotiating table with Afghan government. The intensification of operations indicates that the government, through military showdown, wants to send a clear message to Americans and Taliban that the government has the military option on the table if it is not involved in the peace talks.
There is no doubt that the ongoing peace negotiations without Afghan government being a part of them are defective, and therefore the government should be brought on board as soon as possible. But the government’s exclusion from the talks should not be used as a pretext to carry out military operations that cause casualties and property damage to non-combatants. The problem of these counterinsurgency operations is that Afghan civilians bear the brunt of them, something that rather undermines the position and popularity of the government. Some operations do more harm than good to the government if they are rigorously analyzed.
Civilian casualties eat away at public support for the government, and offer a good opportunity to the Taliban to step up their anti-government propaganda and rhetoric, while the militants already have an upper hand in the propaganda war against Afghan government. By referring to civilian casualties caused in pro-government operations, the Taliban are trying to convince people that the government not only does not consider itself responsible for the protection of their lives and properties, but also effectively threatens their lives. The government leadership, especially heads of the security apparatuses, must not downplay the threat and consequences of civilian casualties. Afghan forces should try their best to strictly avoid harm not only to civilians, but also to their property. The alienation of people is a major threat to the regime which must not be underestimated.
