The problem of insider attacks targeting NATO occupation forces in Afghanistan has shrunk dramatically in the last two years, as NATO has dramatically limited the amount of potential contact with local security forces. Over the weekend, however, two Romanian NATO troops were killed in such an attack.
The attackers were wearing Afghan military uniforms, and opened fire on the Romanians in southern Afghanistan, killing two and wounding one other. The NATO troops returned fire and killed the gunmen. There has been no claim of responsibility.
In the past however, only some of the insider attacks were actually launched by Taliban forces who infiltrated the military, with others simply the result of arguments that escalated to the point of violence. There have been no indications so far from reports what happened this time.
These were the first NATO soldiers confirmed killed in occupied Afghanistan since January, despite ever growing violence, particularly in the nation’s south, and growing numbers of NATO troops being deployed back to areas near potential combat zones.