(VOVworld)-Late last week, the Afghan capital of Kabul and its three neighboring provinces Paktia, Logar and Nangarhar were shaken by a series of Taliban attacks, which killed and injured dozens of people. They were the worst attacks against Kabul in a decade of US military presence in Afghanistan. Though the government managed to get control the situation a day later, the attacks demonstrated the strength of the Taliban forces, which are threatening security in Afghanistan. 

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (Photo:Internet)

The attacks took place after the Taliban announced the launch of its spring operation. The Taliban attacked the US, British, German and Japanese embassies, NATO’s office, and Afghanistan’s Parliament, all of which were heavily guarded. What was surprising about these attacks was their scale and intensity. A spokesperson for the Taliban Zabihullah Mujahid said these attacks were in retaliation for US soldiers burning Korans and murdering Afghan civilians. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan strongly condemned the attacks and called for greater efforts to halt terrorism and ensure security in Afghanistan. Catherine Ashton, the EU Foreign Policy Chief also strongly denounced the attacks, which have increased concerns about instability in Afghanistan. A spokesperson for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force General Carsten Jacobson tried to explain that these attacks were only aimed at showing the strength of the Taliban, but they struck well protected installations in Kabul and succeeded in paralyzing Kabul for a day. Mujahid said that these attacks were planned several months ago. The attacks have raised questions about the intelligence capabilities of the Afghan security forces. Afghan President Hamid Karzai admitted an intelligence failure by Afghan security forces and NATO. Karzai called for an investigation of the case. Shukria Barakzai, a Afghan MP said she doubted the ability of Afghan security forces to deal with the rebels without international support. Ms Barakzai asked government officials to explain why it took them so long to counter these attacks.
The Taliban attacks may have also undermined President Obama’s prestige just as the US Presidential election is approaching. They certainly showed the weakness of the Afghan army despite US and NATO training. A US official said on Monday that the attacks will not affect the plan to withdraw US and NATO troops from Afghanistan by 2014 and hand over to the Afghan army the responsibility of ensuring security in the country.