ISLAMABAD – With the dawn of 2019, Afghanistan’s long-running conflict isshifting to a form of psychological warfare as casualties mount on allsides.In December alone, at least 150 security forces, 184 civilians and hundredsof armed insurgents were killed in Afghanistan in a string of deadlyincidents while 14 NATO troops were killed throughout 2018, according tothe statistics compiled by Anadolu news agency.The persistently high death toll reflects a determination by the governmentand the Taliban to demonstrate their clout amid an apparent rush byWashington to conclude America’s longest war.On part of the Kabul government, the control of Afghan National Securityand Defence Forces (ANSDSF) now rests with two former spymasters with ahawkish approach following a major reshuffle in the leadership of defenceand security institutions last month.President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani appointed former intelligence chiefsAmrullah Saleh and Assadullah Khalid as minister of interior and defencerespectively. In their initial remarks, both of them highlighted the policyframework for the ANSDSF with a clear focus on “mercilessly targeting therebels” not only under the usual defence scenario, but more so in terms ofscaled-up attacks on the bastions of the Taliban and Daesh.“For so long, our forces had the slogan ‘Sar Warkao, Sangar Na Warkawo’[Pashto for ‘Would die, but not surrender’]. But with all due respect tothis old slogan, now our slogan will be ‘Sar Waho, Sangar Tre Neso [‘Wouldkill them, capture their bastions’],” Khalid told a gathering of Afghansoldiers in his maiden speech after taking charge at the Ministry ofDefence.The future strategy is focused on eliminating the rebels’ leadership andfinancial sources through targeted operations, Defence Ministry spokesmanSyed Ghafor Javed told Anadolu Agency.“On an average basis, 15 air strikes per day are being conducted toeliminate the Taliban leadership and their financial resources. This hasyielded positive results,” he said.He claimed a number of Taliban shadow governors and key militant commandershad been killed recently.This is also reflected in the statistics released by the NATO-led ResoluteSupport Mission in Afghanistan, which show that 1,089 Taliban fighters,including nine commanders, have been killed in Afghan-led operationssupported by Coalition airstrikes since November 9.In total, 392 airstrikes were carried out in November and 150 in the firstthree weeks of December.According to the Resolute Support Mission, 450 Taliban fighters were killedin the December airstrikes.In his speech, Khalid also said the Taliban would be forced to acceptAfghan-led peace talks, indicating a deadlier 2019, Anadolu Agency. -APP
With the dawn of 2019, Afghanistan war becomes a psychological warfare
