Updated: Tue Dec. 01 2009 21:07:35
CTV.ca News Staff
NATO commanders are putting the Canadian Forces in charge of the Arghandab district, north of Kandahar city, a region where U.S. troops have sustained heavy casualties since being assigned there earlier this year.
"The local population is frustrated. So I think that's one of the purposes of this strategy -- to deploy troops in areas and keep them there," Mark Sedra, of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, told CTV News.
Task Force Kandahar will gain an additional U.S. battalion and Afghan National Army unit that will each serve under its command by the new year, said Brig. Gen. Frederick Hodges, director of operations for NATO's southern command.
Retired major-general Lewis McKenzie said that's a sign of great respect from the U.S.
"We're the only nation in the 28 NATO nations where the Americans entrust their troops under our command," he said.
Hodges said NATO intends to deepen its hold in Kandahar, before using any surplus troops to clear neighbouring Helmand province.
In a telephone interview from Kandahar, Canadian Press reporter Jonathan Montpetit told CTV News Channel that NATO is "trying to regain the momentum of the insurgency in the south, which is really what they've identified as the biggest problem area in the country."
Michel Drapeau, a retired Canadian Forces colonel, told CTV News Channel that the Arghandab district doesn't appear to be any more dangerous than the area Canadian soldiers currently patrol in Kandahar.
"We'll have to wait and see whether or not this is going to be more perilous... and probably in the end, it will mean very little except that we will be operating in a sector that we haven't been up to now," Drapeau said during an interview from Ottawa.
It is possible that the changes were made with an eye to the fact that Canada will be pulling its soldiers out of the war-torn country by the end of 2011, he said.
Under the new plan, U.S. troops currently serving in the Arghandab district will be reassigned to protect the roads in and around Kandahar. The U.S. troops currently serving in Kandahar, in turn, will then fall under the direction of the Canadians.
Hodges said the changes will take place regardless of U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, Obama committed 30,000 more U.S. troops to the NATO effort to secure southern Afghanistan.
With a report by CTV's Lisa LaFlamme and files from The Canadian Press
Comments are now closed for this story
David in Dartmouth
Hooo--ahhhh!!!Now our people get to strut the stuff we are famous for!!We learned the hard way!! Now we are getting the chance to pass it along. To the Afghan Army... you have the best that leads the rest... learn well and ...Good Luck!!
JOE
That makes no sense at all, they just got to Dand district.Why is NATO swapping out units to different places as soon as they get used to the AO and start having success with building positive relationships with district leaders and villages???
Robert
Joe, we've been in that AO since we go to Kandahar district.. Again, poor journalism skills have failed to tell the whole story.. We aren't being "swapped around" our AO is just being reduced...All the ground we've fought and bled for will still be our responsibility, and the relationships we've built will continue..
Doug @ BC
I think "Robert" is right.There is a lack of detail in the article.I sinerely hope more things can be made clearer as the week unfolds. But I also think "David in Dartmount" has the right idea.Our forces have earned a great deal of respect,and recognition that what they are doing in Afghanistan,is exactly the way this entire mission need to tackled.Even in the USA,they have been goven extremely high praise for how they have managed their area.No one does it better than our brave men and women.They are able to establish liasons with the hearts and minds of the locals,whose continued support is the ONLY way this mission can succeed. We could never do this without the USA,but they are the "shoot first,ask questions later" part of the alliance.An approach that doesn't really suit a mission in which the enemy isn't in uniform,but disguises itself,and hides among the women and children in the villages. Our forces have brought a great deal of respect to Canada for the way they have conducted themselves in one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan.In spite of problems,and in spite of people like Bob Rae,Jack Layton,Ujjal Dosnajh and a host of bleeding heart pacifists,I am extremely proud to be Canadian because of how they have stepped up to help the people there,and by extension,bring trust and respect back to Canada.If all nations had conducted themselves the same way,the Taliban would have lost this war a long time ago.Though their numbers are small,they have been leading all along.The proof?? Well,when was the last time we ever got praise for anything from our friends and allies to the south?? Well done to the entire CF.We owe you all in a really BIG WAY. PRO PATRIA.
Allan Eizinas
“strut the stuff”? That is an interesting way of describing Canadian involvement in this bloody cesspool and inferno that has claimed thousands of innocent lives. Was that not the attitude that led to that Somalia fiasco? Patient warriors do not “strut their stuff”. Cowboys might.
Rose
Sounds like Obama wants them out of the way to me. So the US can claim to be the winners like they did in ww1 ww2 . But we know who the real heros were then and they were Canadian . They and are now. Come home soon troops you have done your job well . Hang in there till 2011.
bj
Well said Doug from B.C.! We definitely have a lot to be proud of! Our sons and daughters in uniform are doing us proud, not just in Afghanistan, but throughout the world.
Fed-Up Canadian!!!!
EXCUSE ME? The Americans need to decide if they want this war or not and stop putting their allies in harms way!
kevin
when things get ugly bring in the BEST! STAY SAFE GUYS
reece
Strutt their stuff? LOL! Could the Americans please refrain from posting on Canadian websites?
R. E. Lee, Cold Lake, AB
Our troops may be the best in the world, and they have done their duty, but they may be forgotten by the world after this Middle East version of the Northern Ireland type of civil war is over. Our soldiers are supporting one Islamic faction which is being faught by another, hoping that decency will prevail and that something as simple but profound as educating women can continue after we are done. We do not know the future of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, but we must never forget what our men and women have done for the people on the ground there. Canadian soldiers did not choose the circumstances of ths war, but they did choose to help their fellow citizens of this planet we call home. How powerless would each of us feel if faced with the idea that our child would be condemned to a life of fear and ignorance because she was a girl, but then saw how people would come from the other side of the world to change the future for her, at great personal risk? When our soldiers return, no matter what the outcome of the war, they are truly heroes, and we Canadians must not forget them.
Albertaboy111
It's pretty obvious that since they could not do the job without sustaining heavy casualties they would bring in the guys who could. After all, our regular infantry are the equivalent of the American special forces.
Fred
I would interpret reducing the size of Canadian area as a compliment; it means we held out in a larger area than we should have without extra help and now that more resources are being put in to end it one way or the other, that we are given a more realistic objective to win.Canada punching above its weight class, again.
Tom
Following Obama's curious approach to Canada on this issue it is even more curious that our military is being asked to do serious heavy lifting once again. Apart from the Americans and the Brits our brave men and women are taking the fight to the enemy. Now what about the other NATO allies?
Elly
Our troops have been great warriors and should be *honored* no matter where they areToo bad we cant say that about many factions of Nato, who in my opinion have been cowards and will not even venture into the danger zones!Nato should concentrate on them!!!
John from Saskatoon
Of course we are. Any time an area can't be taken send in the Canadians. Remember Vimy, The Somme, Juno Beach etc. We're the toughest best trained forces in the world. History proves it. That's why the Dutch, French, German's etc. wont take a turn in these areas. History proves they're not up to the challenge. Send in the real men. As for the American's not getting the job done, history shows they need to go in after the hard fighting is done to mop up and take the credit. I don't think thier record is that good in wars they start.
Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
No matter what area our soldiers are given theyserve and give !00%. We have the best trained and equipped soldiers. We are proud of each one of them. It is a most difficult task to fight terrorists who do not wear an uniform and hide behind women and children! Nato realizes all this and when there is a problem like this they call upon Canadians to do the job. It is too bad that many other Nato countries are afraid to serve like the Canadians !
hatrock
Because of our dedicated troops in Afghanistan, I couldn't be prouder to be a Canadian. I was recently in Kansas and spoke to several U.S. military personnel who had been in battle along side our Canadians soldiers. They had nothing but praise, respect, and admiration for their professionalism and courage.
Trapper
Wow - there are a lot of testosterone-fuelled comments on here! I know I'm going to take a lot of flack from the conservatives on here, but I also know I speak for a lot of Canadians when I say that I am so sick of this pointless war that is doing nothing except costing lives and draining resources. It's time to demand that our government grow a backbone, withdraw our troops now, and tell the Americans to deal with their own vendettas.
Tono
Why don't we get India to give us a hand? They have the biggest standing army in the world, you know...
JB in Ontario
Well said Lee.
ouifyg
Robert and Doug@BC, this is not a reduction of our area, it is a move. It says that right in the article; "...it will mean very little except that we will be operating in a sector that we haven't been up to now," Drapeau said "Pretty clear. Not that it matters, troops are troops and we need more if this is ever going to end.
Canadian Army needs no US praise.
Opinions of US military personnel are as worthless as their ineptitude. Show some pride, you stupid US-worshippers. US has the most expensive military in the world, but it's a long way from the best.Stop sucking US crap.
John from Saskatoon
Trapper, you have just managed to offend just about every Canadian alive with your statement. Do you honestly think that only Conservatives support our military. You are an embarrasment to have even thought to write that let alone typed it out. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.
David in NB
"will mean very little except that we will be operating in a sector that we haven't been up to now"Misreporting. Canadians initially had the entire province as their area of operations (AOO) since 2006. It has been reduced over time (the past few months) due to an influx of other forces. Canadians have been in, and died in, Arghandab, including three soldiers this past spring, when I was in Kandahar.This sounds more like a shift. Arghandab district has traditionally shunted the Taliban. Moving the Canadians in there (again) may be due a number of reasons, none of which I am aware. Neither is anyone else posting on this.
Doug @ BC
With all due respect to "oifyg",I still think there is more to come.I did,for your information,read and understand the article.I just happen to believe that information not yet evident,will help all of us understand whether this will just be more of the same,in a different location,or that a new strategy is on the way. Successive US Presidents have failed to explain to the citzens of the USA why this is important.Obama needs to do that.Other leaders need to follow up AFTER they see whether the USA is serious about doing this,or just playing politics at home.Also,yet to come,are details about what Canada will be doing.We all know that the combat role ends in 2011.However,I think we also know our involvement will not end there.Even the Liberals are saying they are open to hear how Canada can help after their combat role ends. All I tried to say,with apologies for not making myself clear,is that we should all wait for much more information before we take strong stands on either side of this debate,and that domestic politics and partisanship have no place here.I think anyone who makes a decision about the entire mission,based on what we know now,is making a serious mistake.One that could come back and bite you in the butt. I favour the intent of the mission.But,in the absence of policy and strategy that makes winning possible,we need to get our people out of there.Now,i await the strategy and leadership that has been sorely lacking from the USA for far to long.If it's a bad strategy,I can change my mind about my support,and do it in a heartbeat without regret.I agree,we need more troops to win.But we need more than more troops.We need a plan,unity,and real commitment.
Melanie Terrace,BC
To Tono's point about India,I think their help would need to be a bit more covert,just because of the sensitivites of the entire region.Just like Pakistan,their populations put them at risk if they do to much to fight their neighbours.To fix this I think the entire region needs to help,but only in ways that don't cause even more violent divisions within the region. My main bone of contention is the post suggesting Canadian troops do not need the prase from the USA.While I tend to agree wth that when it comes to domestic politics,on the international stage,a little praise and reognition from the worlds most powerful military does no harm.It is high time that Americans know that there are other nations on this planet,and that those other nations deserve respect for what they do.Canadian troops work very well along side of American tropps.Recognizing that does not make anyone a "US worshipper".Nor is it "sucking up US crap". For my part,I think we need to be able to work well with the USA for the benefit of generations of Canadians not yet born.We can hardly move our country to the other side of the planet.But I also know all to well,that Americans can learn a lot from Canada too.The fact that many more Americans are learning that every day is something that will benefit us all a lot moe thanhaving MP's standing in Parliament calling their President a moron. To defend North America we will need both nations.I vote "NO" to the "sucking up" you refer to.But I vote "YES" to finding ways to get along,and work together,while still recognizing the different roles we each play in the world.I see no benefit in constant USA bashing.
Trapper
Dear "John from Saskatoon":Thank you ever so much for your scathing chastisement of my post, but I believe that this is an open forum and that I, like everyone else, have a right to exress my feelings. Sorry if you don't agree, but save your "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME" for the forces that be who keep our troops in Afghanistan!
Linda in Vancouver
I think a good part of why our troops have been so succesful is tht they can be so much more diplomaitc.Think about it.Americans come to any discussion with a level of partiatism that borders on jingo-ism.I don't hold that against them.It is just who they are,and how they are educated.My best friend,raised in Washington State,but now living in Vancouver,once told me,that when she was in grade school,she totally believed that we were just like them,except we were still waiting for our American citizenship.That may sound crazy,but,in a lot of cases,their pride in their own country seems to convince a lot of them that no other nation on the planet deserves any respect at all.The "we are the biggest,we are the best,so we run the planet" is very common in the USA. No.They aren't all like that.And,more often than not they mean well.But,it seems to me,they have trouble finding the line between loving their own country and belittling others. In my perfect world,we would accept each other for what we are.Respect each other for what we can do.The USA has the biggest military available for this kind of a mission.We need to rspect that.But we can do that while recognizing the skills our forces bring to this mission.Our men and women can be brave,and fight with the best of them.But,what they do that Americans cannot do,is relate to the people.They can do that because they have not been raised to look down on everyone else.MOST Americans have trouble with this concept.But still,I'm glad they bring their skills to the battle.Now,all they have to learn is how to recognize the skills of other nations., A political analyst on CNN,David Gergen, recently said "we could learn a lot from what Canada is doing".I hope they do too.
SK Doctor
Thank you to the supporters of our troops - my son is in Kandahar right now mentoring the Afghan National Army and I know it means a lot to him that people care back home - PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
The Guy
We have been in the Arghandab for a long tim previous to this. The F.O.B in Arghandab is a Candain made FOB that was handed over to the americans last year...but now they are moving us back out there because they cant handle it. I was Based int he Arghandab for a bit... nice place lots of sand.
John from Saskatoon
Trapper, if you take a look at the thumbs up to down ratio it looks like your opinion is not shared by a vast number of Canadians. We support our troops and are loyal Canadians no matter who is in govt. If you have such a problem with democracy and the duly elected govt. you'll probably be welcomed in Afghanistan. The Taliban like bashing our armed forces as well.
