Canadians in Afghanistan will face ‘insider’ attacks
Canadians soldiers will face the threat of “insider”attacks when training recruits for the Afghan National Army, similar to the attacks that killed dozens of America soldiers in the past year, says Brig.-Gen. Christian Juneau, head of the army in Western Canada.
But Juneau said those attacks are likely “a blip” rather than a growing trend and the Afghan army is improving “as more and more are trained.”
“The Taliban are pretty good at doing something spectacular, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect the trends,” Juneau told the Journal editorial board on Wednesday. “Every now and then you have a flash that captures world attention, but these are blips.”
Between 600 to 800 soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Edmonton and CFB Shilo in Manitoba will head over to Kabul in June 2013 to replace soldiers from other Canadian bases now training recruits to the Afghan National Army to prepare it to take over responsibility for national security.
In the past year, 52 Americans and other NATO soldiers have been killed in attacks by Afghan soldiers or police — or Taliban insurgents disguised in those uniforms. The so-called insider attacks provoked serious concern from American military officials, who say the attacks are a serious threat to the U.S. exit strategy.
Juneau, who was appointed to the western Canadian command in June, acknowledged the insider attacks could happen to Canadian Forces as well. “There is a threat, absolutely, and we have to be ready to face that threat.”
Canadian soldiers know that every Afghan soldier they train is a potential threat, he said.
“Canadian soldiers are trained for these situations. This is what we do.”
Canada lost 158 soldiers in the Afghan war. The U.S. death toll is about 2,000.
Juneau said the 10 years of combat experience battling the Taliban insurgency has made the Canadian fighting force stronger and more effective, especially improving its capacity to analyze and use intelligence on the battlefield.
“We have a better army. We have leaders who have trained in real combat and that is something significant for an army.”
On the home front, Juneau said increasing military presence in the Arctic is also a priority for the Western troops.
Both Juneau and Lt.-Col. John Riffenstein stressed it is also a priority in the next few years to maintain the close connection between Edmonton and the military that grew during 10 years in Afghanistan. It started with the memorial service at Rexall Place for four soldiers killed in friendly fire incident early the war in 2002.
The opening of Valour House, a residence for injured soldiers and their families, is another sign of the close ties, said Riffenstein.
“We’re very conscious that because we are out of combat we are getting less attention, so we have to continue to find ways to connect with Canadians,” said Juneau.