Forces in Afghanistan told to limit nighttime raids
By Barbara StarrWashington (CNN) —
A new classified directive to coalition forces in Afghanistan puts restrictions on nighttime raids of Afghan homes and compounds, according to a senior U.S. official who has seen the document.The official declined to be identified because a declassified version of the document has not been made public. The directive is signed by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top NATO commander in Afghanistan, the official said.
The directive comes as the coalition seeks to reduce tension between its military forces and Afghan civilians in an effort to maintain Afghan public support.
Nighttime raids in which troops enter private homes have sparked problems for U.S. and NATO forces. The raids are viewed as overly invasive — a violation of the privacy of the home in Afghan culture — and they can turn violent.
The document orders forces to use Afghan troops at night “whenever possible” to knock on doors of residences and compounds, and to use them if forcible action is required for entry, the official said.
But the directive also orders troops to “conduct an analysis” of whether it is militarily essential to conduct a raid at night or whether it can be put off until daylight, the official said. If troops can keep a target under surveillance but wait for daylight, they then can enlist the aid of village elders, perhaps, in determining if a home or compound poses a threat, the official said.
The official emphasized that troops always have the right to defend themselves and are given leeway to use their best judgment on the battlefield.
McChrystal also is updating another directive, first issued last year, on conducting operations to minimize civilian casualties, the official said.
The updated version, which is yet to be published, will include “more clarity” for troops on how to operate in “escalation of force” incidents, such as when a vehicle approaches a checkpoint in a potentially threatening manner and troops must decide whether, and when, to fire at it. The official declined to offer further details but said the aim is to make sure even the most junior troops have full understanding of rules and procedures.
Some troops and local commanders have expressed concerns that recent rules can inhibit their ability to take action under fire.
These directives come as the coalition has been involved in several recent incidents in which civilians were inadvertently killed, and as the coalition conducts major operations in southern Afghanistan.
McChrystal released a video message to the Afghan populace apologizing for an incident this week in which 27 Afghan civilians were killed.
“I have made it clear to our forces that we are here to protect the Afghan people. I pledge to strengthen our efforts to regain your trust to build a brighter future for all Afghans,” he said in the message.
The official said the documents may be made public in the coming weeks, after current operations ease.
That includes the Taliban, right General?
Once a military man makes battlefield decisions based on politics, he becomes a failed leader. It is my opinion that McChrystal is a moral coward and is not fit to lead a Cub Scout den. Why this piece of crap is still in command is beyond me. He is directly responsible for the deaths of many brave soldiers. Dont worry McChrystal, Obama will keep a choice post open for you in his administration. What a schmuck.
I agree, and I have no respect for this man. He is still in charge, because he is Obama's guy.
This guy will convert on a dime if the scimitar hangs above his neck. He's not a warrior. He's a yellow sobbing bastard. With people like this in charge the muslims will take several steps ahead.
I do not blame the General, I blame the AssWhole who appointed and dispatched him and the 530 or so AssWholes who are derelict in their duty, forsworn in their oaths of office.
So long as we do not recognize the fatal fact that Islam is the enemy; so long as we allow Islam to exist in Afghanistan & Iraq; so long as we allow Islamic law to be the foundation of their constitutions, we continue to waste blood and treasure.
Any outcome other than the complete conversion or complete destruction of those demon infested hellholes constitutes a loss for us and a win for Islam. A win for Islam will embolden them, resulting in an increasing escalation of violence.
This is not a war the soldier is used to fighting , It is a war which can only be won by winning the hearts n minds of the people .You can kill any number of taliban but you will find them being replaced from the population and the fight goes on and on ( and your body bags keep coming in ). The day the taliban loses the sympathy and support of the afghan population you and the soldier have achieved his aim of neutralising and bringing the taliban to heel .This is what this order aims to achieve …so reduce the damage to the civilian pop, get them to have faith in you and karzai . . Sadly, it also means that the soldier is fighting with one hand tied . That is the price you pay for your strategy .
If you know what is good for you you will not want to limit these. Why do we always have to fight wars with ine arm tied behind our backs?
You cannot fight a war with rules of engagements and political correctness. We have not won a war since WW2. We lost in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm one, and now in Iraq. If we would have fought WW2 like that, we would now all be speaking German or Japanese. This has got to stop!!!
I did not attend West Point BUT I wonder if the Taliban will limit their night time attacks, day time attacks, and roadside bombings?
We limit…..the muslims intensify.
Why did not the Germans get this much consideration during WW 2?