Local militia ready to tackle Afghanistan

A controversial programme by the United States and Britain to enlist former Taleban fighters and other armed groups to combat the insurgency in Afghanistan is under way.

Supporters of the "Sons of Shura" hold that they are brave men risking their lives to fight for their community. To others, though, they are a violent private army in the making who will only add to the strife in a violent land.

The force is similar to one that was organised by General David Petraeus in Iraq and credited with turning the tide of the war there. However, as the Pentagon documents released at the weekend highlighted, those militias were also responsible for carrying out atrocities to which the Americans often turned a blind eye.

American and British commanders have repeatedly stressed that the groups being set up in Afghanistan would be closely controlled, to prevent any human rights abuse.

It is claimed that creating the force is essential in paving the way for the withdrawal of international troops. The issue, it is believed, was discussed in meetings between British Prime Minister David Cameron and Petraeus during the US commander's recent visit to Britain.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was initially hesitant. However, after 12 days of personal persuasion by Petraeus, the President signed the authorisation for the raising of the force, to be officially known as Afghan Local Police. Previous attempts to form government-sponsored militias in Afghanistan had proved problematic, with fighters accused of using their guns and uniforms to extort money and favours.

- INDEPENDENT