US Confused by Afghan Mercenaries

Blackwater-style private security guards may answer to militants

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 27, 2009 8:36 AM CST

(Newser) – It’s becoming harder to keep gun-wielding men straight in Afghanistan. Private security firms have cropped up all over, the Wall Street Journal reports, hired to protect businesses, particularly those doing work for the US. But coalition troops often can’t tell such groups apart from militants, and have been in at least three significant firefights with them in recent months.

“We authorize these guys to carry weapons in areas that need more security,” says one US commander. “But the risk is that you’re allowing more people to walk around with guns who aren’t part of the government and don’t answer to it.” The firms often hire ex-Taliban fighters who, officials fear, still take orders from the mullahs.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Paramilitary soldiers guard trailers parked on a road, leading to Afghanistan after it was closed by authorities Dec. 31, 2008, in Peshawar, Pakistan. (AP Photo)

"Private security companies are a new experience for Afghanistan, and they pose a huge threat," one general says. "They recruit former fighters who answer to the Taliban, and they recruit criminals." (AP Photo)

Blood stains are seen in a road as Afghan security forces walk toward the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, May 29, 2008. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The fog of war certainly played a major role. The security companies use the same weapons and ammo as the insurgents, so it makes it extraordinarily hard to tell the difference. - US Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, on a firefight that left 22 Afghans dead

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Afghan Army to Soldiers: Cut Ties to Pakistan, or Quit

Afghan National Security Force desperate to root out infiltrators

(NEWSER) - Afghan military officials have begun ordering soldiers to move any family they have in Pakistan out of the country, or else leave the military, in a desperate attempt to rid their ranks of Taliban infiltrators. While those orders haven't yet been translated into an official nationwide policy, they represent just how serious the problem of Taliban sleepers has become, the Washington Post reports. Officials have also created a "special reconnaissance group" to investigate what soldiers do on leave—particularly if they head to Pakistan. More»

US, Afghanistan, Taliban: Secret Talks Under Way

Hamid Karzai is in Pakistan today to discuss negotiations

(NEWSER) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Pakistan today, one day after telling the Wall Street Journal that his country has entered into three-way peace talks with the Taliban and the US. Karzai is in Pakistan to discuss the negotiations and request that country's help; Islamabad's cooperation is necessary, since Taliban fighters have reportedly been receiving support from Pakistan, the New York Times notes. The recent talks signal a breakthrough, considering the Taliban has up until now insisted it would not negotiate with Karzai's "puppet regime." More»

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

(NEWSER) - Newly qualified Apache helicopter pilot Prince Harry is expected to return to Afghanistan for a tour of duty this year, and the people he might be shooting at aren't happy about it. "A prince should use his position to help people, not to come and kill people around the world," a Taliban spokesman tells the Telegraph . Harry, whose training included a stint in the US , is expected to serve as a co-pilot gunner in a two-man crew. More»

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

(NEWSER) - The United States may be wrapping up its combat operations in Afghanistan a year early, but the fight against insurgents and terrorists will continue in the form of US special forces, who are expected to stay in the country well after 2014, reports the New York Times . According to the Pentagon's plan, which has not yet been greenlighted by President Obama, conventional forces would be the first to withdraw from Afghanistan, but thousands of special forces would continue, or perhaps grow, especially Green Berets. More»

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

(NEWSER) - Last year was the worst for violence against Afghan civilians since the UN started keeping track five years ago, with 3,021 killed, according to the AP . The UN report attributed the 8% rise in civilian killings to a surge in roadside bombs and suicide attacks by insurgents, with Taliban-affiliated militants responsible for more than 75% of those killings. It is the fifth straight year that the civilian death toll has gone up, and last year that number was nearly twice as high as in 2007. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

US Confused by Afghan Mercenaries