18. Juli 2014

 

Die folgenden Ausschnitte aus ausgewählten Quellen enthalten Informationen zu oben genannter Fragestellung (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 18. Juli 2014):

 

·      IWPR - Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Afghan Fighting Season Begins Amid Political Deadlock, 9. Juli 2014 (verfügbar auf ecoi.net)

https://www.ecoi.net/local_link/280076/410171_de.html

„Analysts have warned that the continuing deadlock over the Afghan presidential run-off is being exploited by insurgents as the traditional summer ‘fighting season’ begins. […] Analysts warn that the political stand-off could be exploited by armed opposition groups who have already launched an offensive in the strategically vital Helmand province. Local residents say insurgents there are using more sophisticated equipment than in previous years. The summer offensive, which the Taleban codenamed ‘Khaibar’, began in Helmand in late June with an intensive ten-day sequence of attacks in the northern districts of Sangin, Musa Qala, Kajaki and Nawzad. Helmand police chief Abdul Qayum Baqizoi told IWPR that government forces sustained about 100 casualties, with about 400 on the insurgent side. In addition, 50 civilians were killed, 400 were injured, and thousands of families were forced to flee their homes. Sardar Mohammad Hamdard, a civil society leader in Helmand, said the recent violence was a calamity for local people, with more than 4,000 families displaced.” (IWPR, 9. Juli 2014)

·      PAN - Pajhwok Afghan News: Sangin, Musa Kala get additional ALP force, 7. Juli 2014

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/07/07/sangin-musa-kala-get-additional-alp-force

„Following deteriorated security situation in southern Helmand province, the Ministry of Interior has increased in the strength of Afghan Local Police (ALP) in volatile Sangin and Musa Kala districts to ward off terror threats. Maj. Gen. Ali Shah Ahmadzai, director general of the ALP in the Ministry of Interior, told journalists in Sangin district that Sangin and Musa Kala districts would respectively get additional 200 and 50 ALP personnel. With the latest surge in force number, Sangin and Musa Kala would have 500 and 200 strong police force. The decision to surge the number [of the] police force had been taken in the light of President Hamid Karzai’s decree. The move would help strengthen security and law and order in the volatile province, he hoped. Brig. Gen. Sultan Mahmood Mahmood said the Sangin fighting had prolonged because of landmines planted by the militants. Officials said fighting was still ongoing in Sangin, which was started some two weeks back. Hundreds of people, including security forces and militants, had been killed and wounded in the gun battle.” (PAN, 7. Juli 2014)

·      Xinhua: Roundup: Clashes continue in Helmand's Sangin district, Afghan gov't sends reinforcement, 7. Juli 2014 (verfügbar auf globalpost.com)

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/140707/roundup-clashes-continue-helmands-sangin-district-afghan-gov

„Fighting between security forces and Taliban militants has been continuing in Sangin district of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province over the past two weeks, spokesman for provincial administration Omar Zawak said Monday. ‘Sporadic fighting is still going on in parts of Sangin district,’ Zawak told Xinhua. However, he said that the Taliban militants had been evicted from Musa Qala and Kajaki districts and law and order have been re-established there. Taliban militants launched massive offensive in Sangin district on June 21 and soon the conflict stretched to Musa Qala and Kajaki district. Notorious for growing poppy and militancy, the former stronghold of Taliban, Helmand province has been regarded as Taliban hotbed in Afghanistan.

According to Helmand's provincial governor Mohammad Naeem Balouch, around 800 Taliban militants launched massive offensive against government facilities in Sangin district on June 21 and soon widened to Musa Qala, Kajaki districts and other parts of the province. In talks with local media, the governor has claimed that the situation in Kajaki Musa Qala and Khanshin districts has returned to normal and mop up operations are underway in Sangin to bring the situation under control there. […]

The Helmand Governor however has confirmed that between 100 to 150 military and civilians have been killed during the battle. He also confirmed that 380 injured civilians had been admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. On the other hand, Taliban militants fighting for the control of Helmand province in a statement posted on their website have claimed capturing more than 30 police checkpoints and killing some 400 security personnel, a claim spurned by officials as mere propaganda.” (Xinhua, 7. Juli 2014)

·      UNAMA - UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan: Afghanistan; Mid-Year Report 2014; Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Juli 2014 (verfügbar auf ecoi.net)

http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1404997194_unama-mid-year.pdf

„Between 18 and 30 June [2014], fighting between Government forces and insurgents in Helmand province killed at least 50 civilians and injured approximately 265. Medical staff at hospitals and clinics reported that 40 per cent of the casualties were women and children. The majority of the victims were from Sangin district.

The clashes began on 18 June as reportedly 800 insurgents targeted a number of ANP [Afghan National Police] positions in synchronized attacks, mainly in northern and central Sangin, but also in Kajaki, Musa Qaleh and Nahr-e-Saraj districts. Intense fighting occurred for several days, with some territory changing hands multiple times. People living around Sarwan Qala (northern Sangin district) were exposed to the most intense clashes. Victims evacuated and assisted by medical personnel described how mortar rounds landed in civilian residences, crossfire and IEDs [improvised explosive devices], and booby-traps freshly planted by withdrawing fighters claimed numerous victims. Civilians informed UNAMA that Anti-Government Elements used civilian houses as shelters and as bases to launch attacks at Pro-Government Forces.

Ongoing clashes prevented medical assistance and evacuation of injured persons with several key roads closed or blocked by fighting. Civilians conducted improvised evacuations by pack animals, but many victims reportedly died of their injuries before they could reach a hospital. Authorities, victims and witnesses informed UNAMA that most victims had been hit with shrapnel and that many dead bodies remained under the debris of collapsed houses which could not be retrieved and buried due to ongoing fighting.

UNAMA highlights concern with the failure of all parties involved in the ongoing fighting in Helmand province to distinguish between civilians and combatants. The high civilian casualties in Helmand province during these clashes suggests non-compliance with international humanitarian law which requires parties to take all possible measures to protect civilians.” (UNAMA, Juli 2014, S. 34)

·      Der Standard: Tagelange Kämpfe in Südafghanistan: Mehr als 330 Tote, 29. Juni 2014

http://derstandard.at/2000002439817/Tagelange-Kaempfe-in-Suedafghanistan-Mehr-als-330-Tote

„Bei tagelangen Gefechten in der südafghanischen Provinz Helmand sind nach offiziellen Angaben mehr als 330 Menschen getötet worden, darunter Dutzende Zivilisten. Das Innenministerium in Kabul teilte am Sonntag mit, mindestens 250 Taliban-Kämpfer seien unter den Toten der vergangenen zehn Tage.

Nach Angaben der Provinzregierung kamen mindestens 32 Angehörige der Sicherheitskräfte und 50 Zivilisten ums Leben, darunter Frauen und Kinder. Der Sprecher der Provinzregierung, Omar Zwak, sagte, rund 3200 Familien seien vor der Gewalt geflohen. Die Gesundheitsbehörden in Helmand meldeten mehr als 300 Verwundete.

Am vorvergangenen Freitag hatten nach Zwaks Angaben mehr als 1.000 Taliban-Kämpfer in den Distrikten Nawzad, Sangin, Kajaki und Musa Qala Stellungen der Sicherheitskräfte angegriffen. Diese begannen daraufhin eine Gegenoffensive. Zwak sagte, die Aufständischen seien weitgehend zurückgeschlagen worden, Gefechte dauerten aber noch an.

Die Taliban waren in den vergangenen Jahren von offenen Großangriffen auf Sicherheitskräfte abgekommen und hatten vor allem auf Anschläge mit Sprengfallen gesetzt. Ihre Offensive gegen afghanische Sicherheitskräfte im Süden könnte einen Strategiewechsel vor dem Auslaufen des NATO-Kampfeinsatz zum Jahresende signalisieren.“ (Der Standard, 29. Juni 2014)

·      BBC News: Afghan troops battle mass Taliban assault in Helmand, 25. Juni 2014

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28012340

„Insecurity has spread in Helmand since British and American forces pulled out of many districts and withdrew to small outposts. Many of the roads connecting the capital, Lashkar Gah, to outlying districts have been a no-go area for government officials, and roadside bombs have prevented ground reinforcements.” (BBC News, 25. Juni 2014)

·      UNGA - UN General Assembly: The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security [A/68/910–S/2014/420], 18. Juni 2014 (verfügbar auf ecoi.net)

http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1403693685_n1442913.pdf

„Improvised explosive devices remained the main cause of civilian casualties. They accounted for 32 per cent of the total and resulted in 331 civilians killed and 734 injured between 1 January and 31 May [2014], an increase of 3 per cent over 2013. Of those casualties, 50 per cent occurred in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar.” (UNGA, 18. Juni 2014, S. 9)

·      Derksen, Deedee: Armed, disarmed, rearmed: How Nahr-e Seraj in Helmand became one of the deadliest districts in Afghanistan, 6. Jänner 2014 (veröffentlicht von Afghanistan Analysts Network, ANN, verfügbar auf ecoi.net)

http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/268919/397300_de.html

„On a visit to Helmand in mid-December, UK Prime Minister David Cameron stated that when British troops withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of next year, they will have accomplished their main aim – leaving behind a basic level of security. But a new report by the Pentagon (1) tells a different story. On its list of the most violent districts in the country, the top four are in Helmand, the province where most British as well as thousands of US troops have been based. The deadliest of these districts is Nahr-e Seraj where a multitude of power brokers within and outside the official security forces violently struggle for influence. […]

Nahr-e-Seraj is home to Helmand’s former capital, Gereshk. Strategically important, the town is situated on the crossing point of the Helmand River for vehicles travelling between Kandahar and Herat on the big ring road. Anyone controlling Gereshk is able to levy tolls on trade in the area, including the booming opium business. Holding Gereshk also affords a major military advantage, given its central location.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Taleban insurgents, having increased their influence over much of northern Helmand over recent years, including parts of Musa Qala, Kajaki and Sangin (2), mounted their pressure on Gereshk this year. There, they face armed members of the Barakzai tribe, who have dominated the area since the time of King Ahmad Shah Durrani in the 18th century, and on whom President Hamed Karzai’s government depend to secure the district.” (Derksen, 6. Jänner 2014)

·      WSJ - Wall Street Journal: Afghan Forces Score Gains as U.S. Starts to Pull Back, 2. Jänner 2014

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304361604579288413792632566

„After months of hard fighting, Afghan security forces have come out on top in a key province that for years cost the U.S. and its allies dearly. Helmand province, in the country's south, was once a major focus of American troops, an area thick with insurgents and the opium poppies that finance them.

Now, as U.S. and allied forces depart and leave the local army and police in charge of security, the Afghans have emerged from the warm-weather fighting season in nominal control of every heavily populated district of Helmand – a result that U.S. and Afghan commanders say should inject optimism into the often-gloomy debate over the country's future.

It is too early to declare victory in Helmand, says Col. B.J. Fitzpatrick, chief of staff for U.S. Marine forces in the province. But ‘what I will tell you,’ he says, is that in 2013, ‘the Afghans took lead responsibility.’ In places such as Sangin, an important Helmand province district, ‘the Taliban threw a lot at them. Some would even say they threw their best at them. And the security forces are still there,’ he says. ‘The Taliban can't beat them on the battlefield.’ […]

Masses of Taliban foot soldiers attacked this spring and summer in a bid to take over Sangin district; government forces turned them back. Mohammad Rasoul Barakzai, the acting Sangin district governor, describes the year-end situation as ‘calm,’ with only intermittent Taliban attacks. But the reality in Helmand also shows the limits of government control. While Afghan military and police bounced back from minor defeats in 2013 and organized major wins largely on their own – using their own artillery and recapturing outposts seized by insurgents – the Taliban in Helmand aren't spent. Insurgent fighters move freely in many parts of the province. They continue to mount headline-grabbing attacks, contributing to perceptions of instability.” (WSJ, 2. Jänner 2014)

·      MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières: Between Rhetoric and Reality: The Ongoing Struggle to Access Health Care in Afghanistan, Februar 2014

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/sites/usa/files/attachments/afghanistan_between_rhetoric_and_reality.pdf

„While official Afghan sources claim that the AOGs [armed opposition groups] have just five of the 416 district centres in Afghanistan under their permanent control, this statistic ignores the reality of life outside the immediate district centre, where government control has less reach. Those in the peripheral areas are more likely to be trapped between the inexorable pressures of the insurgency and the international or national military forces. This in turn makes it more difficult for them to access healthcare.

In Helmand, those interviewed from Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, were considerably less likely to cite the threat of violence as a barrier to reaching the hospital, than those living in other districts. All the people from Musa Qala, a northern district of Helmand province, cited violence as the main barrier to reach MSF – a rate of six times more than those already living in Lashkar Gah district. The higher threat of violence for those living outside the provincial capital is due not only to the longer journey to the hospital where MSF works, but also because several districts in Helmand province experience frequent and intense periods of fighting.” (MSF, Februar 2014, S. 26)

·      PAN - Pajhwok Afghan News: Taliban zeroing in on Musa Qala: official, 7. Oktober 2013

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/en/2013/10/07/taliban-zeroing-musa-qala-official

„Taliban have once again besieged the strategic Musa Qala district of southern Helmand province in a bid to mount pressure on the government, a security official said on Sunday. The official, who declined to be named, said the insurgents had crossed the main security post and were getting closer to the district centre. He warned the security threat would become graver if the government did not send reinforcements to the town immediately. But the governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, denied Musa Qala was under siege from militants. The district lies 70 kilometres north of Lashkargah, the provincial capital.” (PAN, 7. Oktober 2013)

Nachfolgend finden Sie eine Auswahl sicherheitsrelevanter Ereignisse im Distrikt Musa Qala ab Mai 2013 (chronologisch absteigend):

·      Ariana News: 4 Taliban commanders Killed In Helmand, 7. Juni 2014

http://ariananews.af/latest-news/4-taliban-commanders-killed-in-helmand/

·      PAN - Pajhwok Afghan News: 6 civilians killed in Musa Qala blast, 14. März 2014

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/03/14/6-civilians-killed-musa-qala-blast

·      WNA - Wakht News Agency: 5 rebels killed in Helmand, 3. März 2014

http://wakht.af/en/index.php/security-and-crime/5740-5-rebels-killed-in-helmand.html

·      KP - Khaama Press: Taliban attack leaves 4 Afghan police dead in Helmand, 6. Dezember 2013

http://www.khaama.com/taliban-attack-leaves-4-afghan-police-dead-in-helmand-2599

·      BBC News: Two roadside bomb attacks ‘kill 11 Afghan civilians’, 10. September 2013

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-24036962

·      Al Jazeera: Construction workers killed in Afghan attack, 17. August 2013

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/08/201381785222343533.html

·      PAN - Pajhwok Afghan News: 6 police mysteriously killed at Musa Qala post, 13. Juni 2013

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2013/06/13/6-police-mysteriously-killed-musa-qala-post

·      PressTV: 7 Georgian soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan, 6. Juni 2013

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/06/06/307554/7-georgian-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan/