Attacks in Afghanistan force Nato troops to halt joint operations

A number of joint operations between Afghan security forces and Nato troops have been called to a halt after a number of attacks occurred over the controversial anti-Islam video.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that handing security over to local and national forces in Afghanistan will require a broader strategy and the new policy to be implemented will not affect Nato’s planned withdrawal in 2014.

Spokesperson for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force Maj. Lori Hodi said that ISAF forces were increasing their vigilance and carefully reviewing all activities with the local population in reaction to the increased threat situation resulting from the video.

Despite the US government’s public condemnation of the “Innocence of Muslims” video, which portrays the Prophet Mohammed as a womaniser, child molester and killer, deadly protests spread across Afghanistan as well as internationally.  

The number of “green-on-blue” attacks in Afghanistan has also played a role in the partial suspension of joint operations.

A quarter of the attacks in August were estimated to have been carried out by infiltrators from the Taliban  while an earlier Pentagon review said that some 10% were by Taliban forces  sneaking into Afghan military and police ranks.

The attacks on the other hand, have been blamed on foreign spy agencies by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in their attempts to undermine Afghan’s security institutions. However, he did not specify any particular countries.