U.S., British Forces Train Local Militias to Fight Taliban in Afghanistan

In an effort to minimize foreign military activity in Afghanistan, British troops will begin training local militia to be the first line of defense against the Taliban. The Times quoted Brigadier James Cowan, the British commander in Helmand Province, as saying that the tactic “is exactly what the Americans did in Iraq. That is what we need to do here.” The Times reports that the Community Defense Initiative, which will see British troops training young Iraqi men at the local Police training school, will commence on December 5. Participants will receive instruction and uniforms; and will be paid by the British for participating. Once the training ends, the trainees will assume positions alongside British and Afghani soldiers. The American military is training local militias in 14 other areas of Afghanistan. In both the U.S. and British situations, the trainees are being watched for signs of loyalty to the Taliban.