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| The Taliban spring offensive - civilians count the cost | The Taliban spring offensive - civilians count the cost |
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| The Taliban's annual spring offensive was not marked with a big operation this year, as it did last year when the militants unleashed a string of attacks around Kabul and across Afghanistan. Instead, there has been an increasing trickle of military and civilian casualties. | The Taliban's annual spring offensive was not marked with a big operation this year, as it did last year when the militants unleashed a string of attacks around Kabul and across Afghanistan. Instead, there has been an increasing trickle of military and civilian casualties. |
| On Tuesday, three British soldiers were killed in Helmand province, and six Afghan family members were killed or wounded in Uruzgan province, both by roadside bombs. | On Tuesday, three British soldiers were killed in Helmand province, and six Afghan family members were killed or wounded in Uruzgan province, both by roadside bombs. |
| This year's offensive, dubbed Khalid bin Waleed after the victorious general and companion to the Prophet Mohammed and nicknamed "the drawn sword of God", will consist of "special military tactics" and "insider attacks" which will be carried out "in a systematic and coordinated manner", the Taliban announced. | This year's offensive, dubbed Khalid bin Waleed after the victorious general and companion to the Prophet Mohammed and nicknamed "the drawn sword of God", will consist of "special military tactics" and "insider attacks" which will be carried out "in a systematic and coordinated manner", the Taliban announced. |
| "Similarly, collective martyrdom operations on bases of foreign invaders, their diplomatic centres and military airbases will be even further structured while every possible tactic will be utilised in order to detain or inflict heavy casualties on the foreign transgressors," its statement added. | "Similarly, collective martyrdom operations on bases of foreign invaders, their diplomatic centres and military airbases will be even further structured while every possible tactic will be utilised in order to detain or inflict heavy casualties on the foreign transgressors," its statement added. |
| The spring offensive coincides with the melting of winter snows, which opens passes across the Hindu Kush, affording insurgents greater mobility. At the same time, ill-equipped fighters, many without suitable clothing for winter warfare, have less reason to stay indoors during the warmer months. | The spring offensive coincides with the melting of winter snows, which opens passes across the Hindu Kush, affording insurgents greater mobility. At the same time, ill-equipped fighters, many without suitable clothing for winter warfare, have less reason to stay indoors during the warmer months. |
| General Mohammad Zaher Azimi, the spokesman for the Afghanistan Ministry of Defence, predicted more fighting this year. "I see two reasons for this. First, the Taliban have gathered many fighters and we also have many soldiers. Secondly, with the American army pulling out of a fighting role, our soldiers will have to fight the Taliban. | General Mohammad Zaher Azimi, the spokesman for the Afghanistan Ministry of Defence, predicted more fighting this year. "I see two reasons for this. First, the Taliban have gathered many fighters and we also have many soldiers. Secondly, with the American army pulling out of a fighting role, our soldiers will have to fight the Taliban. |
| In response to the Taliban statement, Nato said: "The Afghan people should not fear Taliban threats. The Afghan National Security Forces have wisely used the winter months to prepare for taking over the security lead throughout Afghanistan by mid-2013." | In response to the Taliban statement, Nato said: "The Afghan people should not fear Taliban threats. The Afghan National Security Forces have wisely used the winter months to prepare for taking over the security lead throughout Afghanistan by mid-2013." |
| Such statements and predictions do not bode well for Afghan civilians. Georgette Gagnon, director of human rights for the UN mission in Afghanistan, said that the number of civilians killed and wounded had increased 18% compared to the first four months of 2012, with 682 civilians killed so far, compared to 550 in 2012. Gagnon added that the numbers for April are still preliminary and are likely to rise. | Such statements and predictions do not bode well for Afghan civilians. Georgette Gagnon, director of human rights for the UN mission in Afghanistan, said that the number of civilians killed and wounded had increased 18% compared to the first four months of 2012, with 682 civilians killed so far, compared to 550 in 2012. Gagnon added that the numbers for April are still preliminary and are likely to rise. |
| "The UN is very concerned because the fighting season has just begun and already civilian casualties are rising, compared to the same period last year," said Gagnon. | "The UN is very concerned because the fighting season has just begun and already civilian casualties are rising, compared to the same period last year," said Gagnon. |
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