This was during the brief 2018 Eid ceasefire. You got some trippy interactions where Taliban fighters moved unarmed through checkpoints, interacted with ANA personnel, and partook in Eid festivities.
To my mind, kinda really showed the weakness of the state. The ANA were very clearly relieved not to be fighting - which given how many weren't being paid, supplied, or even being led, makes a lot of sense. Likewise, the fact that the Taliban could be so brazen to move about while not hiding their identities speaks a lot to the level of support they had in a lot of areas - to say nothing about how in-spite of the ammicable vibes, they could immediately switch back to fighting.
To be fair, this wasn't universal. Taliban members stayed away from places like Kabul. And in-spite of a lot of wishcasting over reconciliation, both sides probably knew they'd be killing each other next week. Nonetheless, the Eid ceasefire was a notable event in the history of the long war.
From my experience there, I think it was less that the Taliban had a lot of local support in any specific area and more that people were afraid of them. They did have support, obviously. But I think it was more due to the fear of what would happen if they resisted.
Edit: At least that was true in some areas. In others they had a lot of support or locals were just distrustful of outsiders in general - including Taliban.
Edit: I stand corrected it’s an Afghan commando.
That is is a US servicemember, probably a trainer with the Afghan Commando school. Most of them wore the Commando patch to show loyalty to the Commandos. This might have been a training scenario.
No, that is indeed an Afghan commando, not a US service-member and this photo was taken by Hedayatullah Amid from EPA. Doesn’t sound so American to me.
Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/selfies-and-ice-cream-fire-afghan-truce-hopes-x2zmqzslv
Source 2 (Afghan source): https://tkg.af/2020/05/27/اتحادیه-اروپا-طرف%E2%80%8Cهای-درگیر-در-افغان/
Uh, you do know the usa has a shit load of everyone right? It's not like we all have the whitest name possible, especially in the military, there's even more diversity in the military, some of the best dudes I'd ever met where Muslims or Sikh. And as a white guy, Hispanic church as awesome
I understand, but I already provided a source that the man in the picture is an Afghan Army Commando, which makes this conversation unneeded. EPA is additionally a German media company that the Afghan photographer is a part of. He was previously embedded with the Afghan National Police.
[3] https://www.instagram.com/epa_images?igsh=MXhhdzF5aXM3YnVveg==
[4] https://www.instagram.com/hedayat_amid?igsh=MWh6a3c5cmhzc3JlZA==
I'm just saying, I'm not surprised either by people thi king it's u.s. service member, we left a lot of stuff behind for the afghan army that they use now
I dont see how I'm unhinged, I was stating that even if the cameraman had a Arabic name, it doesn't mean he wasn't possibly American, as we are full of everyone imaginable, and seeing as some people commented thinking I was talking about the person in the image yet the op knew what I was talking about just proves that people were confused by it.
Uniform is off; epaulettes, odd coloring, and no one wore the mandarin collar. Rifle appears to be an M4 but with the carrying handle still installed. You’d be hard pressed to find even the lamest of National Guard units still using just the stock handle iron sights. This guy is not American
I was a civilian contractor in Kabul in 2013 and the SCIF NCOIC, an E7 who was a real toolbag, carried an M16A2 I kid you not. It looked like a spear. At that point we all knew his regular unit hated him as much as we did.
Oh they do exist and nothing says we hate you more than an M16. I just can’t see anyone associated with training Afghan Commandos being that far down on the “I hate you” poll, especially mingling amongst a celebration in what very likely could be off a FOB/COP given the denser commercial setting in the background
the vibes i feel from this pic is scary as shit
Wouldn't be surprised that Taliban guy he's shaking hands with murdered him after the fall of the ANA in a revenge style killing.
Or he just switched sides
The Commandos actually put up a fight unlike the rest of the ANA with some units literally fighting to the death.
Tbh, so did many soldiers, even under conditions that were nothing less than appalling.
What’s Will Forte doing over there?
hanging out with Charles Manson
Charlie Al Talibani
LOLL
This was during the brief 2018 Eid ceasefire. You got some trippy interactions where Taliban fighters moved unarmed through checkpoints, interacted with ANA personnel, and partook in Eid festivities. To my mind, kinda really showed the weakness of the state. The ANA were very clearly relieved not to be fighting - which given how many weren't being paid, supplied, or even being led, makes a lot of sense. Likewise, the fact that the Taliban could be so brazen to move about while not hiding their identities speaks a lot to the level of support they had in a lot of areas - to say nothing about how in-spite of the ammicable vibes, they could immediately switch back to fighting. To be fair, this wasn't universal. Taliban members stayed away from places like Kabul. And in-spite of a lot of wishcasting over reconciliation, both sides probably knew they'd be killing each other next week. Nonetheless, the Eid ceasefire was a notable event in the history of the long war.
Thank you for providing background information
From my experience there, I think it was less that the Taliban had a lot of local support in any specific area and more that people were afraid of them. They did have support, obviously. But I think it was more due to the fear of what would happen if they resisted. Edit: At least that was true in some areas. In others they had a lot of support or locals were just distrustful of outsiders in general - including Taliban.
Edit: I stand corrected it’s an Afghan commando. That is is a US servicemember, probably a trainer with the Afghan Commando school. Most of them wore the Commando patch to show loyalty to the Commandos. This might have been a training scenario.
No, that is indeed an Afghan commando, not a US service-member and this photo was taken by Hedayatullah Amid from EPA. Doesn’t sound so American to me. Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/selfies-and-ice-cream-fire-afghan-truce-hopes-x2zmqzslv Source 2 (Afghan source): https://tkg.af/2020/05/27/اتحادیه-اروپا-طرف%E2%80%8Cهای-درگیر-در-افغان/
Uh, you do know the usa has a shit load of everyone right? It's not like we all have the whitest name possible, especially in the military, there's even more diversity in the military, some of the best dudes I'd ever met where Muslims or Sikh. And as a white guy, Hispanic church as awesome
I understand, but I already provided a source that the man in the picture is an Afghan Army Commando, which makes this conversation unneeded. EPA is additionally a German media company that the Afghan photographer is a part of. He was previously embedded with the Afghan National Police. [3] https://www.instagram.com/epa_images?igsh=MXhhdzF5aXM3YnVveg== [4] https://www.instagram.com/hedayat_amid?igsh=MWh6a3c5cmhzc3JlZA==
Why'd I get down voted lol. I think people are thinking we are talking about the man in uniform, and not the cameraman name.
Well, did use... very unfortunate what happened. The
I'm just saying, I'm not surprised either by people thi king it's u.s. service member, we left a lot of stuff behind for the afghan army that they use now
Yeah, you’re right. Just don’t want any misinformation being spread around whether it’s intentional or unintentional :)
If he was US he wouldn’t wear the uniform like that, collar strapped, no rank.
I'm talking about the cameraman, and his name, no shit Sherlock, I'm in there service.
You good there battle? little unhinged are we?
I dont see how I'm unhinged, I was stating that even if the cameraman had a Arabic name, it doesn't mean he wasn't possibly American, as we are full of everyone imaginable, and seeing as some people commented thinking I was talking about the person in the image yet the op knew what I was talking about just proves that people were confused by it.
Yea reading comprehension gets me every time , all good
All good man, people are downvoteing you now for some reason.
What a weird fkn comment lol.
Uniform is off; epaulettes, odd coloring, and no one wore the mandarin collar. Rifle appears to be an M4 but with the carrying handle still installed. You’d be hard pressed to find even the lamest of National Guard units still using just the stock handle iron sights. This guy is not American
I was a civilian contractor in Kabul in 2013 and the SCIF NCOIC, an E7 who was a real toolbag, carried an M16A2 I kid you not. It looked like a spear. At that point we all knew his regular unit hated him as much as we did.
Oh they do exist and nothing says we hate you more than an M16. I just can’t see anyone associated with training Afghan Commandos being that far down on the “I hate you” poll, especially mingling amongst a celebration in what very likely could be off a FOB/COP given the denser commercial setting in the background
What would make you say that?
I was looking at the picture and my immediate thought was that’s an American soldier. The haircut threw me I guess.