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Taleban 'run 10% of Afghanistan' | Taleban 'run 10% of Afghanistan' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Six years after being ousted in the US-led invasion, the Taleban have retaken about 10% of Afghanistan, US intelligence chief Mike McConnell says. | Six years after being ousted in the US-led invasion, the Taleban have retaken about 10% of Afghanistan, US intelligence chief Mike McConnell says. |
The government controlled just 30% of the country, and the rest was under tribal control, the director of national intelligence told senators. | |
The Committee on Armed Services heard the Taleban's resurgence was due partly to increased support from al-Qaeda. | The Committee on Armed Services heard the Taleban's resurgence was due partly to increased support from al-Qaeda. |
The last 12 months have seen the worst violence in Afghanistan since 2001. | The last 12 months have seen the worst violence in Afghanistan since 2001. |
The head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency told the same committee major problems remained in trying to crack down on the lawless tribal area on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. | The head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency told the same committee major problems remained in trying to crack down on the lawless tribal area on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. |
'Vital sanctuary' | 'Vital sanctuary' |
Lt Gen Michael Maples said the Pakistani military was not trained for that fight. | Lt Gen Michael Maples said the Pakistani military was not trained for that fight. |
He added that it would take three to five years to address those deficiencies and to make a difference. | He added that it would take three to five years to address those deficiencies and to make a difference. |
"Pakistani military operations in the [region] have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda's position," Gen Maples said. | "Pakistani military operations in the [region] have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda's position," Gen Maples said. |
"The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the Taleban and regional extremism more broadly." | "The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the Taleban and regional extremism more broadly." |
In Washington, independent foreign policy experts have previously warned Afghanistan largely remains a failing state. | In Washington, independent foreign policy experts have previously warned Afghanistan largely remains a failing state. |
The latest assessment from US military chiefs underlines the cause for concern facing Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington. | The latest assessment from US military chiefs underlines the cause for concern facing Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington. |