Marja residents say security has not improved

Juan Cole points out on his Informed Comment blog today that the US-led assault on Marja has not brought local residents the security they were promised.

Cole:

The violence is placing in doubt supposed US achievements on the security front. Pajwhok News Agency reports that, ironically, the residents of Marjah are complaining about poor security in the aftermath of the US move into that area. They say that there is poor security, that civilians are caught in the cross-fire between US/ Afghanistan National Army troops and the Taliban, and that it is dangerous to work their fields (Marjah is a set of agricultural villages and scattered farm houses). They say that the Afghanistan police have not provided even the level of security that the Taliban once had.

Here are excerpts from the report by the Pajwhok News Agency, to which Cole alludes. You can find the full report at http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/Main%20news3.html#70

Report: Marjah Residents Complain of Poor Security

LASHKARGAH - Residents of the Marjah district in southern Helmand province say a recent military operation has failed to bring any improvement to their lives. Instead the offensive has added to their problems.