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Two Nato soldiers shot dead by men in Afghan army uniforms Two Nato soldiers shot dead by men in Afghan army uniforms
(about 11 hours later)
Related: Al-Qaida leader pledges allegiance to new Afghan Taliban chiefRelated: Al-Qaida leader pledges allegiance to new Afghan Taliban chief
Gunmen in Afghan military uniforms shot dead two Nato soldiers on a base in the country’s south on Wednesday, the coalition said, in the latest insider attack on foreign troops.Gunmen in Afghan military uniforms shot dead two Nato soldiers on a base in the country’s south on Wednesday, the coalition said, in the latest insider attack on foreign troops.
So-called “green-on-blue” attacks – when Afghan soldiers or police turn their guns on international troops – have been a major problem during Nato’s long years fighting alongside Afghan forces.So-called “green-on-blue” attacks – when Afghan soldiers or police turn their guns on international troops – have been a major problem during Nato’s long years fighting alongside Afghan forces.
Wednesday’s attack in the volatile province of Helmand is the first such incident since April, highlighting long-simmering tensions between Afghan and foreign forces.Wednesday’s attack in the volatile province of Helmand is the first such incident since April, highlighting long-simmering tensions between Afghan and foreign forces.
“Two Resolute Support [Nato] service members died early this morning when two individuals wearing Afghan [military] uniforms opened fire on their vehicle at an [Afghan security forces] compound in Helmand province,” a Nato statement said.“Two Resolute Support [Nato] service members died early this morning when two individuals wearing Afghan [military] uniforms opened fire on their vehicle at an [Afghan security forces] compound in Helmand province,” a Nato statement said.
A Pentagon spokesman confirmed to the Associated Press that the deceased soldiers were American.
“Resolute Support service members returned fire and killed the shooters.”“Resolute Support service members returned fire and killed the shooters.”
The Taliban did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. Western officials say that most such attacks stem from personal grudges and cultural misunderstandings rather than insurgent plots.The Taliban did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. Western officials say that most such attacks stem from personal grudges and cultural misunderstandings rather than insurgent plots.
The killings have bred fierce mistrust among local and foreign forces even as the rate of such incidents has dropped in recent years.The killings have bred fierce mistrust among local and foreign forces even as the rate of such incidents has dropped in recent years.
Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December 2014, pulling out a bulk of its troops although a force of 13,000 that remains for training and counter-terrorism operations. Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December 2014, pulling out a bulk of its troops although a force of 13,000 that remains for training and counter-terrorism operations.
One of the worst insider attacks took place in August 2014 when US Major General Harold Greene was killed, becoming the most senior American military officer to die in action overseas since the Vietnam war.One of the worst insider attacks took place in August 2014 when US Major General Harold Greene was killed, becoming the most senior American military officer to die in action overseas since the Vietnam war.
In April an American soldier was killed in a firefight between US and Afghan troops in eastern Afghanistan, the first apparent insider attack since Washington announced a delay in troop withdrawals from the country.In April an American soldier was killed in a firefight between US and Afghan troops in eastern Afghanistan, the first apparent insider attack since Washington announced a delay in troop withdrawals from the country.
The US defence secretary, Ashton Carter, said at the time that the US soldier’s killing showed that work remained to shore up Afghan forces in the “dangerous” country.The US defence secretary, Ashton Carter, said at the time that the US soldier’s killing showed that work remained to shore up Afghan forces in the “dangerous” country.
Nato troops have adopted special security measures in recent years to try to counter the threat. The Afghan military, built from scratch since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, has also struggled with insider killings, high casualty rates and mass desertions. Nato troops have adopted special security measures in recent years to try to counter the threat. The Afghan military, built from scratch since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, has also struggled with insider killings, high casualty rates and mass desertions.
Stretched on multiple fronts as the insurgency expands, Afghan forces are facing their first fighting season without the full support of US-led Nato forces.Stretched on multiple fronts as the insurgency expands, Afghan forces are facing their first fighting season without the full support of US-led Nato forces.
The Taliban are stepping up their summer offensive, launched in late April, amid a bitter leadership dispute following the announcement of the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar.The Taliban are stepping up their summer offensive, launched in late April, amid a bitter leadership dispute following the announcement of the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar.
Mullah Akhtar Mansour, Omar’s longtime trusted deputy, was named as the new Taliban chief in late July in an acrimonious power transition.Mullah Akhtar Mansour, Omar’s longtime trusted deputy, was named as the new Taliban chief in late July in an acrimonious power transition.