Washington: The Taliban carried out more than two dozen insider attacks and killed at least 81 Afghan troops during the wave of violence sweeping through Afghanistan in recent months.
A new report by the US government released by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction on Thursday (Friday AEST) highlights the rapid deterioration of security throughout much of the country as American troops complete their military withdrawal.
The US flag is lowered as American and Afghan soldiers attend a handover ceremony at Camp Anthonic in Helmand province.Credit:Afghan Ministry of Defence
At least 37 Afghan troops have been wounded in attacks over the past three months but American military officials told the watchdog’s investigators the numbers could be incomplete due to gaps in knowledge during the pullout.
The data underscores the enormous challenges and immense pressure facing Afghan forces, who have been left to fight the militants with little US support.
Some have abandoned their posts, cutting deals with the Taliban, surrendering their weapons, and allowing a growing number of districts to fall under insurgent control.
US Forces-Afghanistan told the inspector general Afghan military fatalities had shown an upward trend, especially during the month of June, as the Taliban’s aggressive push to retake lost territory continues.
John Sopko, who leads the inspector general’s office, took a dim view of the US military’s efforts to train Afghan troops and the 20-year war effort in the country.
Asked why Afghan security forces are collapsing, he told reporters people “shouldn’t be surprised,” citing long-running questions his office raised about how US military officials assessed Afghan troops’ capabilities and ensured their sustainability.
“If you don’t have fuel, the Afghan army doesn’t fight. And if they’re not being paid, they don’t fight. And if they’re not getting the bullets and food and other equipment, they don’t fight,” Sopko said.
“I think this is what you’re seeing since the Taliban started their latest attacks.”
Sopko criticised US military leaders for casting the Afghan military in a rosy light for years despite its shortcomings, and for setting unrealistic goals.
The Taliban have taken control of most major Afghan border crossings.Credit:AP
The US military has withheld detailed information about Afghan military facilities for several years, citing requests from the Afghan government.
The inspector general’s previous quarterly report said the number of insider attacks on Afghan troops had increased by 82 per cent compared to the same period in 2020, but did not release specific numbers.
Jonathan Schroden, a military operations analyst with US-based research not-for-profit CNA, said two-thirds of an Afghan battalion, known as kandak, would be killed this year in friendly fire alone if the current trend continues.
The spate of insider attacks comes as the US military transfers its remaining bases to the Afghans, sometimes with little or no notice.
The new report raises concerns about a number of other grim issues.
After the Trump administration signed a deal with the Taliban last February, US officials repeatedly said decisions about the military withdrawal would be “conditions-based”. But as the withdrawal ensured, thousands of deadly Taliban attacks targeted the Americans’ Afghan allies.
From March through to May 2021 there were 10,383 enemy-initiated attacks, according to the report. That was up from 9163 and 6755 during the same period in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
While senior US military officials have said that the Afghan air force gives the central government in Kabul an advantage over the Taliban, the inspector general said the loss of American contractors helping to maintain the aircraft in Afghanistan could impact the sustainability of the fleet.
The report noted the Afghan air force’s ability to fight began to drop in June in the wake of the Taliban offensive and the US military withdrawal.
Afghanistan’s fleet of AC-208 attack planes had a readiness rate of 93 per cent in April and May, but that it fell to 63 per cent in June. The fleet of Black Hawk helicopters had reported a readiness rate of 77 per cent in April and May, but of only 39 per cent in June.
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