FACE to FACE with CENTCOM

[CENTCOM]

Re: FACE to FACE with CENTCOM

@Med911

The US has been demanding that Pakistan curb the activities of the Haqani network, why is the US unable to take out the leadership of the Haqqanis if they are such a threat as they have other Taliban groups and Al Qaeda?

And recently there has been increasing infiltration of Pakistan by members of the Fazalullah Taliban group formerly of Swat, apparently from Khost province. Does NATO have any intention of confronting this dangerous group as it resides on the Afghan side?

Dear Med911,

You’re right: We do see cross-border infiltration and attacks on both sides of the border. And we see routine terrorist attacks on civilians as well as on Afghan and coalition forces. We have called on Pakistan to go after safe havens on their side of the border so that these terrorist groups are unable to orchestrate these attacks. This is not an unreasonable request and the eradication of these groups would be beneficial to all parties. For our part, we do not support any militant groups on any side of the border. The terrorists pose as much of a threat to us as they do to you. We carry out regular security operations and security sweeps against terrorists in eastern Afghanistan, to include Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Nangrahar and Nuristan, among others. We have conducted operations against the Haqqani network and killed and captured some of their known leaders and operators. See details here:

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-goes-after-haqqani-network/2011/10/14/gIQAj2i6kL_story.html)

Press Releases | ISAF - International Security Assistance Force

The fact is that we have a common enemy whose mission is to create chaos by killing ruthlessly. The only way we can succeed against them is to work together and go after them on both sides of the border. That is the only way peace can return to the region.

Capt. Joseph Kreidel
DET-United States Central Command
www.centcom.mil/ur