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Ghani's War Orders Not Given
A number of military officials in Helmand province said on Wednesday that despite a surge in violence in Helmand province, President Ashraf Ghani has still to give the orders for a large scale offensive operation against the Taliban.‎

But provincial governor Hayatullah Hayat says plans are underway to launch a wide scale operation across the province.

"Our planning is underway, and soon, this week, our operations will be conducted and all the people support security forces in Helmand," said Hayat.

But TOLOnews correspondents Wali Arian and Abdullah Hamim spoke to security forces in Helmand province who said that the troops are unhappy about having to take a defensive position against the Taliban.

They said troops have called for the launch of an offensive operation as soon as possible.

"See at the moment war is going on and firing sounds can be heard," said Nagibullah, a border police force member.

"The front line of Taliban was in Nad Ali district of Helmand province where we defeated them and we will defeat them always," said Jabar, a public order solider.

According to TOLOnews' correspondents, Dasht Matkai area of Nad Ali district is the front line of the battle with Taliban. They said the insurgents are also holed up in civilian houses, which they are using to fire on security forces' strongholds.

"Some times militants attack and open fire but we are also equipped and prepared," said Marstyal another public order soldier.

"In Marja district small operations are underway but big operations will be prepared in wide and joint plans," said Khalilurahman Jawad a public order commander.

But some provincial council members have raised concerns over Ghani's failure to implement his own war orders against the Taliban.

"The president is different in action and speech and he is not putting his words into practice and it means he is kicking dust in people's eyes," said Karim Attal Helmand provincial council head.
Posted by: badanov 2016-05-05
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=454843