Afghanistan: the Taliban knocking at the gates of Kabul

A new coup against a luxury hotel killed at least 20 dead. President Karzai gives us little glimpses his discouragement. This is another setback in Afghanistan for the coalition and the Afghan security forces. Taliban launched an attack Thursday night that lasted twelve hours Spozhmai against the hotel, a luxury hotel located on the shores of Lake Qargha, ten kilometers from Kabul. The hotel was home that day, a birthday party. The coalition troops and their local allies have pushed the attackers armed with rocket launchers, which had taken civilians hostage. But the toll was heavy: at least 20 dead. The new coup occurred after a particularly strong statement of the Afghan president. Before Parliament, Hamid Karzai delivered a disenchanted vision of the state of his country after more than ten years of international presence. Contradicting the version of NATO , which says that the situation is improving, he believes instead that the number of attacks against local forces constantly increasing . "The enemies have understood that it is in the army and police to defend Afghanistan, they are the foundation of this country. They want to weaken the foundations of the state, "he said, lamenting that every day 20 to 25 police and soldiers die in Afghan fighting against the Taliban.

Places of "debauchery"

The latest attack proves, if proof were needed, that the insurgents can strike when and where they want. Already in April, they had carried out coordinated suicide attacks, particularly in Kabul, in the "green zone", the most secure of the capital. The Taliban are no longer the only coalition troops or the local security forces but also civilians. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgents, said the target of the attackers, a resort known, was chosen as took place there "indulgent parties, with drinking and prostitution." Spozhmai The hotel is indeed one of the few places in the capital where Afghans can buy and drink alcohol. An activity deemed "immoral" by the Taliban. To avoid a civil war, the international coalition has been working for several months at a rapid pace to form the new Afghan security forces, which account for the moment 340,000 men. But while the question of their long-term funding has not been resolved, a NATO report emphasized the spring they were not only infiltrated by insurgents , but that many Afghans, anticipating the departure of the forces Foreign turned to the Taliban, whose various factions compete for the future. "The question is not whether, but how the Taliban return to power. After fighting or through an agreement with the coalition and the Karzai administration, "an expert analysis of the case. An agreement with the Taliban, is what the Americans are seeking. But this solution through Pakistan, which hosts in its tribal areas of Islamic shrines. But relations between Washington and Islamabad are at their worst. They are not likely to get better in the coming days. For the commander of NATO forces, General Allen, Thursday's attack bears the hallmark of the Haqqani network, close to al-Qaida, whose command centers are in Pakistan.