Afghanistan - White Phosphorus Use
Monday - Aug 10, 2009 - 7:30 PMAnyone who still doubts that the Taliban is on the rise in Afghanistan and the border region of Pakistan should learn about one of the recetn attacks (July 4, 2009) that the Taliban paramilitaries launched on a small US outpost in Paktika province (Eastern Afghanistan).
The US troop station was a scene of an intensive and sudden attack. The US soldiers were not only outnumbered but were faced with rockets, mortars and artillery projected phosphorus, not to mention light arms. The coalition forces were saved by an air strike that dispersed the attackers, but the scene was left with 2 US solders dead and several others wounded. The use of phosphorus is especially alarming. I can't recall hearing about any such attackers attempted before by the Taliban. It is an indication that they are able to acquire ever more sophisticated weaponry.
