Afghan, US Tensions Threaten Orderly Withdrawal

March 21,2013

Tensions between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. military officials are threatening an orderly transfer of security responsibility ahead of the NATO and U.S. troop withdrawal next year. Disagreements over the role and location of U.S. troops are fueling controversy and mistrust.

Shouting “death to America,” hundreds of protestors recently traveled from Wardak province to the Afghan capital Kabul demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered U.S. Special Forces out of Wardak after accusations that Afghans working for them tortured residents.

“We have gathered here to protest against the Special Forces in Wardak, because they enter people’s houses and torture innocent people,” said Khalilullah Ibrahimkhail, a Wardak resident

While U.S. military leaders denied the allegations, Special Forces remained in Wardak.

The province is close to Kabul, and its security is considered important in keeping insurgents from infiltrating the capital.

An agreement was announced Wednesday to gradually pull U.S. soldiers out of Wardak.

Earlier, another controversy erupted as President Karzai accused the U.S. of being in collusion with the Taliban.

“There are ongoing daily talks between the Taliban, Americans and foreigners in Europe and in the Gulf states,” Karzai said.