US Mil. Offers to Help Pakistan Army Combat Al-Qaeda
Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, stated on the 24th January that the Pentagon is “ready, willing and able” to provide US troops to aid the Pakistan armed forces combat al-Qaeda.
Command Centres to Allow Intelligence Exchange Between US/ Pakistani/ Afghan Officers
The US military, said Major General David Rodriguez, has also commenced with the construction of up to eight command centres sited along the Pakistani/Afghan border where officers from all three nations will be able to exchange intelligence information, and carry out operations.
The first one of these is being erected at Torkham Gate – an area close to the Khyber Pass and around 50 kilometres from Peshawar.
Al-Qaeda/ Taliban Attacks Down in Afghanistan...
The greater emphasis Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have placed on taking on Pakistan’s government has led to a 40 per cent drop in the number of trans-border assaults into the east of Afghanistan over the last three months, compared to the same time last year. This, according to both Maj. Gen. Rodriguez, and a review carried out by the US military.
...But 10 Times More Suicide Attacks in Pakistan
The same report highlighted how suicide bombers carried out 10 times more attacks in Pakistan last year than they did in 2006, while, in the east of Afghanistan, no real increase was noted. "Insurgents are focusing more on gains and expansion opportunities in Pakistan", it stated.
Both Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s chairman, Michael Mullen, strongly asserted how the presence of the US military could enhance Pakistan’s efforts against both the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
"If asked to assist, I think we could do a lot," Mullen said, at a press call held at the Pentagon.
Discussions Ongoing on US/ Pakistan Joint Military Operations
Gates spoke on the possibility of US and Pakistani troops carrying out combined operations, and how this, at present, is the subject of “ongoing dialogue” with Pakistan – the US armed forces entering the arena at the Asian country’s request.
"They have not fully thought through exactly how they intend to proceed and their strategy going forward", said Gates, adding: "I expect that that will happen."
Gates also pointed out how al-Qaeda had joined forces with other militants around the Afghan/Pakistani border, of which one could include Baitullah Mehsud – an individual with Taliban connections.
"They clearly are much more active and working with other people", he advised.
In 2007, the US armed forces in Afghanistan set up a bilateral computer link to the Pakistan armed forces’ HQ, establishing communications through which cross-border missions could be coordinated.
Source – Armed Forces International’s US Correspondent
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