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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Afghanistan Attacks at Record High

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(Newser) – Violence in Afghanistan is the worst it’s been since 2001, the US commander of forces in the region announced today. Insurgents staged more than 400 attacks during the past week, compared to less than 50 per week in January 2004, the BBC reports. Gen David Petraeus said allied forces are targeting the militants’ safe havens, which partly explains the spike.

But Petraeus also warned that “there is no question the situation has deteriorated over the course of the past two years in particular,” and said to expect “difficult times ahead." He stressed the need for US forces to be “good partners and good neighbors” and avoid civilian casualties whenever possible, which have been a significant source of tension between the US and Afghanistan governments.

An elderly Afghan man looks on as a U.S. Marine from the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines patrols in the town of Deleram in Afghanistan's Farah province Wednesday, June 10, 2009.
An elderly Afghan man looks on as a U.S. Marine from the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines patrols in the town of Deleram in Afghanistan's Farah province Wednesday, June 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
Gen. David Petraeus testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 2, 2009, before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on new strategy for Afghanistan, Pakistan.
Gen. David Petraeus testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 2, 2009, before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on new strategy for Afghanistan, Pakistan.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
US Marines watch as a helicopter takes off from the landing zone at forward operating base Golestan in Afghanistan's Farah province Thursday, June 11, 2009.
US Marines watch as a helicopter takes off from the landing zone at forward operating base Golestan in Afghanistan's Farah province Thursday, June 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
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8 comments
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FORREAL
Jun 11, 09 10:20 PM CDT
Dear God when is this stupidity and slaughter going to stop? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Jun 17, 09 3:31 AM CDT
When humans grow up. But we're not there yet. We've advanced but are definitely not there yet.
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kokuaguy
Jun 11, 09 11:45 PM CDT
According to what I heard on NPR today, the Taliban and al Qaeda have planned a "surge" as a response to Obama's sending 20,000 additional troops. Reply
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emptycalm
Jun 12, 09 12:50 AM CDT
It's sad they have to be reminded not to target civilians. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
mickey61988
Jun 12, 09 2:20 AM CDT
Their not targeting civilians you moron, the civilians are harboring the bad guys.
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