Training the Afghan National Army (ANA) Key to Success?

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | August 2, 2009 at 05:01 am

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During the past two days at least six U.S and French soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan's Hellmand Province. Most deaths in recent weeks have been attributed to car bombs or IEDs. Three were killed today by small arms fire in a coordinated ambush by the Taliban.

The U.S (NATO) launched Operation Kanjar (Strike of the Sword) a couple of weeks ago with some 4000 US Marines, but only 650 ANA troops. July was the deadliest month with 74 NATO troops killed.

With the new strategy being employed in Afghanistan, it is imperative that there is a larger involvement of Afghanistan's central government in Kabul and their security forces. Boots on the ground are needed to remain in villages and interact with the local populace. Afghani troops are best suited for that.

There is a major push to increase the number of ANA troops from 88,000 to 134,000. These troops are being trained by Operational Mentor Liasion Teams (OMLT).

Given the history of Afghanistan, it is virtually impossible for NATO or other foreign forces to succeed on their own. Foreigners, no matter how well intended, are seen as occupiers of the Aghan homeland and therefore will not be able to gain the trust of the local populace.

The only hope for success is a well trained Afghan Army and a central government that can assure security to the population.

"You have to learn this now. I am not going to be out there in the battle with you," Master Sgt. Wahidullah told his new batch of 200 soldiers, each nervously waiting his turn. "Crawl with the opposite hand and foot. Don't point the gun at your chin. Don't move until the other man is covered. Don't touch the barbed wire, because it may be rigged to kill you."

The training session was part of an ambitious campaign, backed by the United States and Britain, to increase the Afghan National Army's ranks from 88,000 to 134,000 men in the next three years. The goal is to push several thousand newly minted troops and officers into the battle against Taliban insurgents every month while ultimately enabling Afghans to take over their own defense.