Student Protests in East Afghanistan Condemn Effort to Extend US Occupation
Announcement of Loya Jirga Decision Met With Scorn
Around 1,000 student protesters took to the streets of Nangarhar Province today, condemning the Loya Jirga announcement that they have endorsed a deal that would keep US occupation forces in the country through 2024.
The protesters marched on the provincial capital, gathering to burn an effigy of President Obama and shouting “death to America.” One of the protesters said they would take to the streets every day if the pact was signed.
The protesters included a large contingent of demonstrators from Nangarhar University, and police say there was no violence during the rally.
Even before the Loya Jirga was held, officials were touting (or in some cases criticizing) its use as a way to rubber stamp a plan to keep US troops in the country in a more or less open-ended manner. Though the jirga sought to extend the condition that President Obama end all US night raids against civilian homes, the Pentagon has already said they don’t intend to do anything of the sort, and it is not expected to actually be an obstacle to finalizing the deal.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- No Deal: US Restarted Pakistan Drone Strikes Despite Objections - February 22nd, 2012
- Syrian National Council Demands Foreign Invasion - February 22nd, 2012
- State Dept.: Pakistani Taliban 'Not Welcome' at Truce Talks - February 22nd, 2012
- Israeli FM: Our Decision to Attack Iran None of US, Russia's Business - February 22nd, 2012
- Hunger Strike Ends, but Adnan's Detention Without Charges Doesn't - February 22nd, 2012
davidgrayling
November 20th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
The Americans have achieved as much in Afghanistan as in Iraq: little or nothing. At least the Romans brought some positives to the nations they conquered. They didn't just invade, destroy, steal and leave.
http://www.dangerouscreation.com
Tom Mauel
November 20th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
A US Army soldier was killed by an IED in Kandahar province on Friday, November 18. This is the seventh US soldier to die in Kandahar within ten days in November. From Wednesday the 9th through Friday the 20th of November seven US soldiers have died in six separate incidents in Kandahar..
Bruce Richardson
November 21st, 2011 at 6:14 am
Given our history of being dominated by a foreign entity, Great Britain, one would think we "get it" when it comes to outside intervention and occupation. But for some reason, we don't seem to understand that the Afghan people are weary of war and resultant occupation. Over the centuries, Afghanistan has been occupied by the Greeks, Mongols, Safavids, British, Russia and now the United States among others.
One could justify the thinking of properly-monitored aid, reconstruction, trade concessions to help this beleagured nation regain its feet. But to think the Afghans will endorse a permanent American presence is tantamount to insanity or wishful thinking.
Tom Mauel
November 21st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
A US Marine died on Friday, November 18, the 12th US soldier to die in November from combat in Afghanistan .
tiozapata
November 21st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
The fascist amerikan empire is rapidly collapsing ! The suffering caused by amerikan Imperialism has sealed the fall. The murdering amerikan military will not be able to continue with their terrorist atrocities !!!