Gen.: Attacks down sharply in E. Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel listens in front of an Afghan national flag on Feb. 24. Votel said attacks in eastern Afghanistan have dropped off compared to last year, expressing optimism that if there is a spring offensive this year, it will be led by Afghan and coalition forces.


Gen.: Attacks down sharply in E. Afghanistan
By Alisa Tang - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Feb 24, 2008 16:59:28 EST

CAMP BLACKHORSE, Afghanistan — Militant attacks in eastern Afghanistan are down sharply compared with a year ago, a top U.S. general said Sunday.

Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel said aggressive military operations, improved Afghan governance and outreach to tribal elders have given U.S. and Afghan troops the upper hand heading into this spring, when militant activity is expected to undergo an annual post-winter spike.

“I think if there’s going to be an offensive in the spring — the offensive is going to be ours, led by the (Afghan National Security Forces),” Votel told reporters at Camp Blackhorse, an Afghan army base east of Kabul.

There have been 36 attacks so far this month in the eastern Afghanistan region where U.S. forces are based. That number is on pace to be 35 percent below the total last February of 110, according to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.

ISAF has tallied 25 roadside bomb attacks in that region so far this month, compared with 62 last February. Border attacks have dropped from 24 last year to six this year.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_240208_afghanistan_attacks/



uhc comment: I didn't realize that a one star is 'a top U.S. general'. So how are things on the Pakistan border? And in the south? Have those 3,000 Marines helped?