France mulls Afghan quit as 4 troops killed
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2012, Saturday
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FRANCE suspended its training operations in Afghanistan and threatened to withdraw its entire force from the country early, after an Afghan wearing an army uniform shot and killed four French troops yesterday and wounded others.
The attack - the second time this month an Afghan soldier has killed French forces - came during a particularly deadly 24 hours for the international military coalition. Six US Marines also died in a helicopter crash late Thursday.
It was the latest in a series of attacks by members of the Afghan security forces, or those dressed in their uniforms, against coalition partners that have raised fears of increased Taliban infiltration of the Afghan police and army as foreign combat forces prepare to leave the country by 2014.
French officials said the attack happened during a training exercise at a base jointly operated by French and Afghan forces.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the deaths in Paris and the suspension of programs. He did not say how many French forces or which programs would be affected.
"The French army is in Afghanistan at the service of the Afghans against terrorism and against the Taliban. The French army is not in Afghanistan so that Afghan soldiers can shoot at them," Sarkozy said.
He added that if security for troops is not restored, "then the question of an early withdrawal of French troops would arise."
Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said the French soldiers were unarmed when the attacker opened fire in Gwan in Kapisa province, during a training exercise at high altitude.
He said the Afghan was in custody of the Afghan army's 3rd brigade, held by a general "whom we trust."
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, praised the Afghan attacker but did not claim he was an infiltrator or provide other details.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed deep regret.
The number of wounded in the attack was unclear. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said 15 troops were wounded but did not indicate their nationalities. Longuet said that eight French troops were wounded, and the commanding officer was in serious condition.
The latest deaths bring to 82 the number of French troops killed in the Afghan campaign.
Meanwhile, the helicopter crash, in the southern Helmand province, was the deadliest since August, when 30 American troops died after a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down in Wardak province.
The cause is still being investigated, but a coalition statement said there was no enemy activity in the area when it happened.
A US defense official said all six killed were US Marines.
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