.Troops struggle to fight by strict rules in Afghanistan
MARJAH, Afghanistan – Some American and Afghan troops say they're fighting the latest offensive in Afghanistan with a handicap – strict rules that routinely force them to hold their fire.
Although details of the new guidelines are classified, U.S. troops say the Taliban are keenly aware of the restrictions.
"I understand the reason behind it, but it's so hard to fight a war like this," said Lance Cpl. Travis Anderson, 20, of Altoona, Iowa. "They're using our rules of engagement against us."
He said his platoon had repeatedly seen men drop their guns into ditches and walk away to blend in with civilians.
If a man emerges from a Taliban hide-out after shooting erupts, U.S. troops say they can't fire at him if he is not seen carrying a weapon – or if they did not personally watch him drop one.
What this means, some contend, is that a militant can fire at them, then drop his weapon and walk freely out of a compound, possibly toward a weapons cache in another location. It was unclear how often this has happened. In another example, Marines pinned down by insurgent bullets say they can't count on quick air support because it takes time to positively identify shooters.
"This is difficult," Lance Cpl. Michael Andrejczuk, 20, of Knoxville, Tenn., said Monday. "We are trained like when we see something, we obliterate it. But here, we have to see them and when we do, they don't have guns."
NATO and Afghan military officials say killing militants is not the goal of a three-day-old attack to take control of this Taliban stronghold. More important is winning public support.
They acknowledge that the rules entail risk to their troops but maintain that civilian casualties or destruction of property can alienate the population and lead to more insurgent recruits, more homemade bombs and a prolonged conflict.
Troops complain that the strict rules of engagement are slowing their advance into Marjah, the focal point of the operation involving 15,000 troops.
"The problem is isolating where the enemy is," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, a Marine company commander from Stillwater, Okla. "We are not going to drop ordnance out in the open."
It was public outrage in Afghanistan over civilian deaths that prompted the top NATO commander, U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, last year to tighten the rules if civilians are at risk.
Lt. Col. Brian Christmas, commander of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, said his troops might be frustrated, but they understand the reasons behind the strict rules.
As he spoke, Cobra attack helicopters fired Hellfire missiles nearby. Ground forces under intense fire had requested the air support 90 minutes earlier, but it took that long to positively identify the militants who were shooting at the allied forces.
Dallas News
Although details of the new guidelines are classified, U.S. troops say the Taliban are keenly aware of the restrictions.
"I understand the reason behind it, but it's so hard to fight a war like this," said Lance Cpl. Travis Anderson, 20, of Altoona, Iowa. "They're using our rules of engagement against us."
He said his platoon had repeatedly seen men drop their guns into ditches and walk away to blend in with civilians.
If a man emerges from a Taliban hide-out after shooting erupts, U.S. troops say they can't fire at him if he is not seen carrying a weapon – or if they did not personally watch him drop one.
What this means, some contend, is that a militant can fire at them, then drop his weapon and walk freely out of a compound, possibly toward a weapons cache in another location. It was unclear how often this has happened. In another example, Marines pinned down by insurgent bullets say they can't count on quick air support because it takes time to positively identify shooters.
"This is difficult," Lance Cpl. Michael Andrejczuk, 20, of Knoxville, Tenn., said Monday. "We are trained like when we see something, we obliterate it. But here, we have to see them and when we do, they don't have guns."
NATO and Afghan military officials say killing militants is not the goal of a three-day-old attack to take control of this Taliban stronghold. More important is winning public support.
They acknowledge that the rules entail risk to their troops but maintain that civilian casualties or destruction of property can alienate the population and lead to more insurgent recruits, more homemade bombs and a prolonged conflict.
Troops complain that the strict rules of engagement are slowing their advance into Marjah, the focal point of the operation involving 15,000 troops.
"The problem is isolating where the enemy is," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, a Marine company commander from Stillwater, Okla. "We are not going to drop ordnance out in the open."
It was public outrage in Afghanistan over civilian deaths that prompted the top NATO commander, U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, last year to tighten the rules if civilians are at risk.
Lt. Col. Brian Christmas, commander of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, said his troops might be frustrated, but they understand the reasons behind the strict rules.
As he spoke, Cobra attack helicopters fired Hellfire missiles nearby. Ground forces under intense fire had requested the air support 90 minutes earlier, but it took that long to positively identify the militants who were shooting at the allied forces.
Dallas News
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