This diary reports on a recent survey of Afghans directly affected by the Marjah offensive to assess the effects of military operations on the Afghans. Many of the findings suggest that the US/NATO forces should be packing their bags rather than continuing military operations. The survey group -- the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) -- is a security and development think tank that has been doing research in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.
Here are some selected findings from the survey. These are verbatim quotes from the report -- but the link herein will allow you to make your own judgments about the effects of military operations there.
http://www.icosgroup.net/...
61% of those interviewed feel more negative about NATO forces than before the military offensive. In other words, the objective of winning "hearts and minds" - one of the fundamental tenets of the new counter-insurgency strategy – was not met.
78% of the respondents were often or always angry, and 45% of those stated they were angry at the NATO occupation, civilian casualties and night raids.
Despite widespread advanced planning and publicity regarding Operation Moshtarak, there were, in the end, very little aid or infrastructure available for displaced persons. 97% of Afghans interviewed by ICOS said that the operation had led to new flows of internally displaced people. Thousands of displaced Afghans were forced to move to non-existent or overcrowded refugee camps with insufficient food, medical supplies or shelter. Local aid agencies were overwhelmed, and in some areas were not present at all.
Alarmingly, 67% did not support a strong NATO-ISAF presence in their province and 71% stated they wanted the NATO forces to leave.
Taliban recruitment: the insurgency continues to benefit in their recruitment efforts from the mistakes of the international coalition..
These insurgent groups will use the opportunity to increase their recruitment efforts, particularly among the many thousands of displaced people. The refugee camp in Lashkar Gah was already a key Taliban recruitment site. With the influx of thousands more civilians, who have been forced from their homes by NATO actions, the prospects for Taliban recruitment will become stronger.
Please feel free to comment based on your own interpretation of this document. Your diarist has been following Afghanistan since 2003 in detail and his numerous conversations with a few policy analysts in Afghanistan are consistant with the findings from the survey.