SubscribeReuters: Hostage Rescue Started In Afghanistan
From an outraged Reuters:
A South Korean activist wears a mask with tears of blood during rally near the US embassy in Seoul, 01 August, calling for the US involvement for help to save 21 remaining Korean captives in Afghanistan.
Hostage rescue bid begins in Afghanistan: official
By Yousuf Azimy
GHAZNI, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A military operation to rescue the remaining 21 Korean hostages held by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan began on Wednesday, hours after a Taliban deadline expired, a provincial official said.
“The operation has started,” said Khowja Seddiqi, the district chief of Ghazni’s Qarabagh district, where the Taliban kidnapped 23 Korean Christian volunteers nearly two weeks ago.
He did not give more details or say which forces were involved…
The Taliban could not be immediately be contacted, but spokesmen for the radical Islamist movement have repeatedly said any use of force would jeopardize the lives of the hostages.
Earlier the army had dropped leaflets warning civilians of an assault.
“The national army has dropped leaflets from helicopters telling people in several districts to evacuate their houses because it wants to launch an operation,” said Khowja Seddiqi, district chief of Qarabagh, in Ghazni province…
The Afghan government has said that giving in to rebel demands would only encourage more kidnapping.
Well, it doesn’t sound like a surprise attack.
3 Responses to “Reuters: Hostage Rescue Started In Afghanistan”
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August 1st, 2007 at 10:16 am
Wonderful. Why doesn’t Reuters tell the Talibums exactly what we plan to do, where and when?
Nothing like aid and comfort to the enemy.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:15 am
“The Afghan government has said that giving in to rebel demands would only encourage more kidnapping.”
Wouldn’t a show of force DETER more kidnapping? I would think giving in to their demands would be what would encourage more kidnapping. Someone help me on this one, is my thinking backwards?
August 1st, 2007 at 11:20 am
I bet someone else got a call about this “surprise” attack even before Reuters did.
“Hello, Taliban HQ, where God is Greatest. Omar speaking; how may I direct your call? Oh, hello District Chief Seddiqi. Peace be upon you. What? Surprise attack? When? Where? Hostage rescue? I see. How many? I see. Hokay. I’ll pass it on. Thanks for the heads up, my brother. Oh, yes! Ha ha! I get it! No, it just came out like that. ‘Heads up’ -ha ha! Hokay. Talk to you later”.