Special forces in regular clashes in Afghanistan

Thought old Georgie and his coalition won this war, didnt they get rid of the taliban, darn we didn't win this one either.

By Tom Allard
January 11, 2006

We will not pull troops out of Iraq yet, Downer assures US

AUSTRALIA'S special forces contingent in Afghanistan is having regular - and deadly - firefights with Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants, and has killed dozens of enemy fighters.

The difficult security situation also extends to frequent attacks on the compound the Australians share with other forces and lies behind the decision of the Federal Government to send an extra 110 personnel and two helicopters to support them.

The two Chinook helicopters, pilots, mechanics and support staff will be ready to deploy at the end of next month following a $25 million upgrade of the aircraft which will enhance their armour, electronic self-protection sensors and weaponry.

There are 190 Australian special forces - SAS and commandos - already on the ground in Afghanistan and the Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, said the multi-role Chinooks would provide much-needed airlift and transport support. While he said Afghanistan's security had improved, Senator Hill said it remained very dangerous.

"There are incidents of suicide attacks, there are remnants of the Taliban in particular that have never accepted the legitimacy of [Afghanistan's] democratic Government and are still continuing their struggle," he said.

Senior Defence sources painted an even more alarming picture of the security situation, with one saying Australia's special forces had been "very, very busy".

Specialists in long-range reconnaissance and highly regarded for their exploits in Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002, the special forces have been used to hunt some of the most hardcore Taliban fighters, said another Defence source.

There were regular firefights and the Australians had killed dozens of enemy fighters, many of whom are hiding in Afghanistan's impenetrable and freezing mountains.

Two of the special forces have been injured in the process, although it is understood they have returned to duties.

Camp Russell, where the Australians and other forces are based, has also come under rocket and mortar attack.

Labor's defence spokesman, Robert McClelland, welcomed the new deployment and praised the "highly effective" special forces. Labor wants Australian troops out of Iraq but regards Afghanistan as "terrorist central" and has long said that Australian forces should never have left. The SAS were withdrawn from Afghanistan so they could fight in Iraq.

Mr McClelland urged Senator Hill to speed up the additional deployment of a military reconstruction team to help with the rehabilitation of Afghanistan's infrastructure and other rebuilding tasks.

No final decision has been made on sending the 200-strong reconstruction team and, contrary to media reports yesterday, Australia is not sending any more special forces to Afghanistan.

The Government wants the SAS to provide security for the Commonwealth Games.

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