U.S. Commander Warns Karzai's Remarks May Fuel Violence
The U.S. commander in Afghanistan has warned troops that they face an increased threat of attack after a series of inflammatory anti-U.S. comments by President Hamid Karzai.
NATO's International Assistance Security Force (ISAF) on Thursday confirmed the contents of a strongly-worded advisory sent by U.S. General Joseph Dunford to his senior commanders on Wednesday.
Karzai on Sunday accused the United States of colluding with militants to justify its presence in Afghanistan and banned international troops from university campuses due to unproven claims of harassment of students.
"Karzai's remarks could be a catalyst for some to lash out against our forces -- he may also issue orders that put our forces at risk," Dunford said in the advisory, which was obtained by The New York Times.
The president has also clashed with the U.S. military over repeated delays to the scheduled handover of Afghan detainees.
The unproven allegation of collusion provoked fury among U.S. officials, as both nations negotiate the framework that could allow some American troops to remain in Afghanistan when most NATO combat troops leave next year.
"This advisory was prudent given increased coalition casualties in recent days. General Dunford's email is simply an example of this vigilance," ISAF said in a statement.
Seven American soldiers died on Monday, the deadliest day for NATO troops in Afghanistan so far this year.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in a suspected "insider" attack by a man dressed in Afghan army uniform, who also killed several Afghan soldiers. Five Americans were also killed in a helicopter crash, blamed on bad weather.
Last month Karzai ordered U.S. special forces out of Wardak, a strategic province adjacent to Kabul, and stopped Afghan forces from calling in U.S. air strikes.
"We're at a rough point in the relationship," Dunford said in the advisory. "(Militants) are also watching and will look for a way to exploit the situation -- they have already ramped up for the spring."
NATO is training Afghan soldiers and police to take over the fight against the Taliban as 100,000 international troops prepare to head home by the end of 2014.
Source: Agence France Presse
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