War in Afghanistan: Symbolic show of strength as flag in Taleban 'capital' replaced

Published on Monday 15 February 2010 21:33

THE national flag of Afghanistan flew over the former Taleban "capital" of Showal yesterday, signalling the end to nearly two years of insurgent rule.

Shortly after dawn, a soldier of the Afghan National Army (ANA), climbed up a 60ft disused crane from which the white flag of the Taleban had flown – the colour is a symbol of their alleged Islamic purity. Using a knife borrowed from a British soldier, Private Aziz Watandosd cut down the flag and threw it to the small gathering of troops below.

He then raised the red, green and black national flag in its place to show that the government of Afghanistan now ruled Showal.

"When I took down the Taleban flag and raised our national flag, I knew it would be a proud and happy day for our people," he said.

After three days of pushing through the town there was still no sign of Taleban resistance. Its fighters had fled their former stronghold following the launch of Operation Moshtarak, which saw 15,000 Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) troops descend on central Helmand.

The majority of the force landed before dawn on Saturday in the biggest operation mounted in Afghanistan since the overthrow of Taleban rule in 2001.

The aim is to rid the central area of Helmand province of Taleban and bring in security to allow central government rule.

Intelligence reports suggest that the Taleban are preparing to counter-attack with suicide attacks and roadside bombings.

But the flag-raising was a "hugely symbolic" occasion for the Afghans, according to 2nd Lieutenant Chris Annear, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh.

"It is a historic moment for them," he said. "That white flag can be seen from miles around here and to be able to take it down will have a dramatic effect on the local population. They can now see that this area is no longer under Taleban rule."

Captain Abdul Latif, commander of 2 Company, 1st Battalion, 201st Corps of the ANA, which joined British forces in the assault on Showal, said it was a day he would "never forget".

He said: "We shall forever remember this as the day when we ended the insurgents' rule in this area. When the people see the flag they will understand that the Afghan government will stay here and bring them peace."

He then promised that the Taleban "will never be able to return and remove the Afghan flag".

Three local men also appeared content that the Taleban flag had been removed. "I am happy because we have seen the end of Taleban rule here and the return of security," said one of the men, Masjan.

The insurgents are said to have tyrannised the local population, beheading at least one man who had voted in the flawed presidential elections last year.