2008 Afghanistan's Deadliest Year Since Fall of Taliban

Many people from all corners of the globe are criticizing the continued conflict in Afghanistan. In which currently mainly U.S. and British led forces are battling to stabilize the country from the constant thread of the Taliban. Both Afghans and people from other countries have been voicing the anger at the West for the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan. Wrongly believing that the U.S. and British led operations are causing the largest amount casualties among the everyday people of the country. Maybe wrongly so in certain respects.

In fact the Taliban who still control many of the rural areas, are the ones who are still torturing and killing many people who stand in there way within the borders of Afghanistan. The Taliban still have Poppy fields in which they are using to fund there regime in part from the profits of the drug opium. Previously reported by news sources such as Canada's cba.ca, as netting $100 million in funds for the Taliban to help fund there operations.

The Taliban currently have a resistant strong grip within the region, with support from many Jihadists flooding over the borders of neighboring countries. Where the Taliban still have many training camps, such as in Pakistan. In which previous attempts to stop militants flooding into Afghanistan from Pakistan, are still seemingly failing. Pakistan's government say they will continue to root out the Jihadist training camps within it's borders. Where the Taliban have been responsible for deaths in regions of Pakistan itself.

In 2008 there have been over 1200 non-combatant deaths in Afghanistan, mainly attributed to the Taliban, and there brutal assaults on Afghan Villages. Which are seen as easy targets, as these villages mainly consists of Old Men and Women, farmers, and children. It has been also revealed that only 21 percent of civilian deaths are caused by action from U.S. and British led forces. Which has been described as sad and regrettable by the Commanders of the multi-national forces, involved in combat against the Taliban. With the governments of U.S and Britain, expressing there sadness also.

Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai has openly spoken about western forces not doing enough to reduce casualties among civilians in his country. Although America is more openly doing more than any other country who is involved in trying to defeat the Taliban. When tackling the issue of civilian deaths America has begun to provide compensation payments to the families of victims killed during hostilities between forces and the Taliban. These 'condolence payments' so far have amassed more than $32 million in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Some say this figure is to high. But what price do you put on life?

My Opinion:

It is terrible that there are deaths among both forces and civilians in Afghanistan. But the fact that the Taliban's brutal regime would be much worse if was to come back into power, must go someway to consolidate the sadness of civilian deaths. These people who have died have not died without any heroic dignity. They have actually died for the future of there country. You may ask me how can I state such views! There have been many conflicts that have shaped our planets history, with many deaths of civilians during hostile times. Without the bravery of normal everyday people who strive to remember those who die in conflict. The same people who welcome there freedom. Therefore reduce the need for war. We would not have such freedom as we do now without the sacrifices that so many have made.

These people are helping to shape there future as I speak to you now. As we all do everyday. The hope is, with the help of everyday people of Afghanistan, to be patient, resilient, to root out the evils that spread fear and death in the country. Then they will, hopefully soon, have the freedom we all enjoy. Those who's lives have been lost will be engraved history, and forever remembered by there nation and beyond.

Yes it is regrettable there are deaths of civilians, and more should be done to control fatalities. But when you think about Afghanistan. Also the effect on the rest of the world, if the Taliban was to be given power in Afghanistan or any other country. Then the casualties would be far greater.

Sources and information: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), CBA News, hazara.net, Homeland Security Today, CNN News, NPR, My own opinions.