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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Our troops get tighter rules of engagement

Protect Afghans, even if Taliban may escape

By: Matthew Fisher

Posted: 07/3/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Canadian soldier Lt. Jean-Pascal Roy consults his map while two boys wash in a stream in Bazari-Panjwaii, Afghanistan. The troops will receive new combat rules. (COLIN PERKEL / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

KABUL -- Canadian commanders in Afghanistan received new fighting orders on Thursday that will prevent their troops from shooting at the Taliban if there is any risk of civilian casualties, even if it means allowing the enemy to escape.

The stricter rules of engagement were laid down in a "tactical directive" sent to all foreign forces in Afghanistan by U.S. army Gen. Stanley McChrystal who was U.S. President Barack Obama's recent choice to take over the NATO-led war here.

"The guidance to the troops clarifies that citizens are the centre of gravity and that we should do everything to gain their support and we must do everything to avoid civilian casualties," Col. Greg Julian, the top U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan, said in an interview at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul.

"In some cases, that it will mean considering allowing insurgents to escape from that particular fight to fight another day if a commander feels that they can move away safely without causing harm to his own troops."

There was "no doubt" that the Taliban would try to take advantage of the extraordinary new measures "if they see that we are not firing on homes or population centres" Julian said, but he cautioned that the policy was not absolute. Such decisions still rested with commanders on the ground and "we are not precluding them from firing back in all circumstances," he said.

According to a count provided by NATO, 973 civilians were killed in fighting in Afghanistan in 2008 including 226 killed by foreign forces.

The new orders affect about 76,000 U.S. and NATO troops under McChrystal's command, including 2,830 Canadians. It is expected to be passed down to the platoon level within a few days. An unclassified statement outlining the new orders would be released soon, Julian said.

McChrystal's directive was in response to a growing clamour in Afghanistan over civilian casualties that have mostly been caused by air strikes called in by foreign forces on the ground. But Julian said the new orders also covered culturally sensitive issues such as breaking into Afghan homes and searches of women as well as what foreign forces are supposed to do when driving.

The new order came as 4,000 U.S. marines and 650 Afghan forces backed by scores of assault and transport helicopters are embroiled in the biggest offensive of the war, swarming in to wrest control of the southern Helmand River valley from the Taliban. Six thousand more marines were on standby in Helmand and could join the push, if required.

The offensive, taking place near where members of the 22nd Royal Regiment of Canada -- the Van Doo -- are based in Kandahar, was directed at the biggest opium poppy-growing area in the world. It had begun at this time because "we now have the resources to execute this strategy," Julian said, referring to an additional 20,000 combat troops ordered to Afghanistan this spring by Obama.

-- Canwest News Service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 3, 2009 A13

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