Axe Attack Highlights Resentment

Shocking assault on a Canadian soldier reflects wider sense of anger many Afghans feel about the foreign troop presence in the south.

By Abdullah Shahin in Kandahar (ARR No. 211, 14-Apr-06)

Shinkay is a small, poor village in the volatile southern province of Kandahar and is little known outside the region. But one warm spring day in early March it became famous.

Around 45 people were gathered under trees in Shinkay, listening intently to a group of foreign visitors. Captain Trevor Greene, 41, was part of a team of soldiers that meets regularly with villagers across Kandahar province, trying to find out what their concerns and needs are.

The Canadians took over from United States troops ensuring security in Kandahar in February.

As a gesture of respect, Captain Greene had removed his military helmet, and sat unprotected among the Afghans. Suddenly, a thin youth sneaked up behind him and brought an axe down on his bare head.

The attacker was quickly gunned down by Canadian soldiers. He was later identified as Abdul Karim, just 16 years old.

Greene spent two weeks in hospital in Germany. He is now back home in Canada, and is expected to make a full recovery.

The incident highlights the strong emotions felt by many Afghans under what they see as a hostile foreign occupation.

Immediately after the attack, the questions swirled: Was Abdul Karim a Taleban insurgent? Was he mentally ill? Were the other villagers complicit in the attack?

The Canadian military initially said that the attack was part of a well-planned ambush.

“This attack has had a very negative effect on our mission,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Hope, who heads the Canadian task force in Kandahar. "We have launched an investigation into the case, and we want to get complete information about the attacker.”

But Captain Julie Roberge, spokesperson for the Canadian forces, told IWPR that this assessment has since changed, “We do not think there was a plan, but we will continue to investigate."

Shinkay residents, including people close to the assailant, say that the attack was a protest by a young boy outraged at the behaviour of foreign troops, particularly the Americans.

“The foreigners themselves make people stand against them,” said Tela Mohammad, a village elder, who introduced himself as a close relative of the attacker. “Abdul Karim was not linked to the Taleban, nor did he know anything about any factions or groups.”

According to Haji Mohammad Esa, a resident of the Shah Wali Kot district where Shinkay is located, Abdul Karim was a quiet boy, the son of a poor cobbler in the village.

“Karim was always alone. He didn't have much contact with the other villagers,” said Esa. “We were all surprised when he suddenly attacked the soldier. But I think the main reason he did it was because he was angry at the foreign troops.”

The Canadians have had a difficult time since they took from the Americans.

There are now more than 2,200 troops from Canada in Kandahar province, and they are increasingly coming under attack. Over 20 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan, two of them in the weeks immediately preceding the attack on Greene.

The residents of Shah Wali Kot do not make a distinction between the Canadians and soldiers from the United States. In fact, villagers say, the Canadians are now beginning to behave like the more aggressive US troops.

“We have gone to see the Canadians in Kandahar several times,” said Esa. “We have asked them to have more respect for our culture and beliefs, but they don't.”

Villages like Shinkay have been the target of intensive searches by the US-led Coalition Forces in the area, who are tasked with finding and stamping out the insurgency. Even military insiders say privately that the American forces are sometimes overzealous in their efforts.

“US troops do not show proper respect for our culture and religious beliefs,” said Esa. “They enter homes without permission and disturb people, which makes people hate them.”

“When US troops come to a house, they do not even let the owner open the door,” said Ghulam Mohammad, another villager. “They just break down the door and enter the house. That has made people very upset.”

The Taleban, for their part, put pressure on local residents not to cooperate with Coalition forces. This leaves Afghans caught between two opposing sides.

“Our village has been searched more than 40 times over the past four years,” said Esa. “Foreigners accuse us of being Taleban and al-Qaeda. The Taleban and al-Qaeda accuse us of having links to the government. We do not know what we are being punished for.”

This uneasiness in the face of conflicting forces may explain one of the most perplexing features of the case. The media made much of the fact that all of the children had been led away to their homes right before the attack, bolstering the theory that the villagers had prior knowledge of the violence.

But Ghulam offered another reason, saying, “The Taleban have warned us many times that helping foreigners is helping our enemies. We are afraid of foreigners when they come to visit us, because they bring the Taleban in their wake. When foreigners come here, we try to keep our children at home, because we fear the Taleban.”

Like Esa, Ghulam said that Abdul Karim was acting alone.

“He was acting on his own feelings,” said Ghulam. “If he'd had links with the Taleban or al-Qaeda, they would have given him weapons. He wouldn't have had to use an axe.”

Afghan officials in Kandahar declined to be interviewed on the incident.

Despite the problems and the dangers, Lt-Col Hope says his troops are determined to continue efforts to better the lives of ordinary Afghans.

“The enemy wants to worsen the living condition of poor people,” he said. “But the Canadian soldiers will fulfill the promise they made to the Afghan government.” ---->iwpr.net

Seems like the canadians are set to pickup where the US left off. Anyhow the outlook doesnt seem to be good.

Also one can deduce a moral from the story; if u have a helmet dont take it off while in afghanistan, also be weary of wood cutters, 16 yr olds and people on motorbikes and cars and donkeys and those wearing turbans.

It's a real story showing the emotion of a real patriot Afghan who even doesn't completly know his good and bad but still knows that Afghanistan has been invaded and he could be amongs the ones who could take back its freedom.

Jut think if 16 year old boy may have that courage and ability to do so, what if there is a bunch of those 16 teenagers demanding freedom (which seems something in a very near futur), what could they do with a courage such like this and what would be the future of the foriegn troops ???
I guess the history has to witness another super power going down in hands of Afghans.

I agree with you dear mamikon,
There could be some influence of elders on him but still think of his age only 16. Can you tell me one thing and that is; "Is it possible to motivate an American child of 16 to go and fight for his country?" in case ever America is invaded ???

I was talking about the courage, I mean while you know that your are going to be killed and you are only 16 would you had managed that attack? One thing is for sure that the boy was a real "Brave Heart" !!!

I personally think that the kid acted on impulse, and was not willing to forgo some displeasure that he had been caused.  I dont think he had reached yet the age of pragmatism and had yet to master the art of dealing with intrigues, like his elders.

However, I think the boy has done more than stick that axe in the head of the canadian, especially having thereafter been shot and killed.. I think the fact that a boy has done this in the presence of grown men, will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those men having been outdone by a child and attained martyrdom.

Gharanai,

I think it will be exaggerated to think that all pushtun think of the americans as hostile invaders least of all the feudal tribal elders whos power had all but finished at the hands of the taliban, having been  replaced with influential clergy. Each tribal leader has its own views and its own interests close to its heart. Some act for the betterment of their tribe, others for their self. the tribesmen will have to follow thier leader regardless of their personal opinion. The problem for the forces arise when to some tribes the foreign influence becomes disadvantageous vis a vis other tribes or in general. As for any personal vendettas arising from loss of face and indignation etc.. at the hands of foreigners, then the right of retribution of the person offended is independent of the elders. The same can  be extended to the tribe itself. But this is not likely to result in a mass uprising as long as the foreigners are not meddling in their daily affairs. 

All the Canadians had their helmets removed as was Canadian policy.

The Canadians also had their weapons stowed, the attacker was killed by Afghani soldiers who were with the Canadians.

Leftenant Greene(now Captain) recieved a serious brain injury and will be disabled for life. He is awake but paralized.

As for the attack being the actions of one individual as the story points out the adults removed the children minutes before the attack and immediatly after the attack the Canadians and their Afghan escorts came under small arms and RPG fire. Clearly it was a planned operation.

This story is propaganda and inacurate, are you a member of the Taleban malizai? 

Malizai you nasty Taliban you, quoting from

http://www.iwpr.net/?p=arr&s=f&o=261075&apc_state=henparr - http://www.iwpr.net/?p=arr&s=f&o=261075&apc_stat e=henparr #

A bit disappointed in your short-sighted, tunnel vision. The purpose of the post was to highlight growing resentment, the prevalence of which was not so widespread at the first arrival of foreign forces. When they were wrongly presumed to be there to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. It was a story with the reference present from IWPR which u failed to notice.

DukeC

I will spell out for you explicitly what you lack in capacity to draw out from inferences. Key points of my post aimed to highlight were:

They have taken over from the Americans in an environment already full of resentment and although they may see themselves as making a distinct effort from the Americans, 'some' of the local populace may not.

They must not let their guard down. They are floating in a sea of hostility.

Secondly, because of this event any goodwill that the Canadians could have built with the locals to distinguish themselves from the Americans has evaporated from the very outset.

As for Mr.Greene I am genuinely sorry for the waste of his life in an imperial cause, but equally tragic is the loss of the 16 yr old who's story we may never know and who's life has been curt short one way or another well before it should have.

I don't think you understand Canadians, learn your history. Terrorists based out of Afghanstan have killed thousands in the West and there is a strong resolve to see that never happens again. If, as it seems, you believe that Afghanstan will once again become a haven for terrorists, you're the one who's mistaken.

And you're still spouting what I consider to be propaganda "They must not let their guard down. They are floating in a sea of hostility". Sounds to me like you're singlehandedly declaring war on Canada.

Now I don't support anyone "getting axed", but I don't understand why it was done on a Canadian. If the article says things are getting hostile because the way the Americans treat them, then why kill another country who seems to be trying to treat you on fair grounds, even putting his guard down to show respect to the people.

I love how Gharanai praises this idiot too. The kid wasn't exactly bright, was his idea to attack the guy who shows more respect then the others? I don't know, usually heroes actually show some smarts or go out of their way to do something right for their people. When a action this kid did happens, it's usually considered idiotic. What he did won't help his people, it's just going to make where he lives more stricter by an Army that seemed willing to go down to these peoples eye level instead of acting on a high horse and being rude and more policing and less willing to talk to the people.

IMO malizai and others are just trying to justify the killing of Canadians who are in Afghanistan as part of a U.N. sanctioned multinational force to bring peace to the country. Whatever their motivation is to portrait this attacker as a hero only they really know, but I don't believe it has anything to do with concern for the Afghan people. This whole thread is a load of cr*p.

Dear DukeC,
I would like to tell you that once you have a proud history then it's in mind of each and every citizine of yours, so we I don't think we have learn ours as we know much about it really.

Second you  said "If, as it seems, you believe that Afghanstan will once again become a haven for terrorists, you're the one who's mistaken."

Now I ask you to know your history (oh sorry I ment British history) and if you had some time try to read some about Russians as well, then come up with proves that your ARMY is better in any way than the might of those two Empires.
Then I guess we could talk about your comment .

Whatever! To be honest it is not an area of interest to me, unlike tribal societies as in Afghanistan, surrounding regions and the caucases.

There has been no discussion of such. But since u mention it, the region has not yet ceased to become a haven. You seem to wrongly assume that it has for it to become "once again".

It is ur opinion and u r entitled to it. Frankly, i dont care.  I have layed out the reasons for the post and am not going to elaborate any further. You want to defend Canada, fine, but do it elsewhere, since Canada and Canadians have not been attacked here, not by me anyway.

Well, I agree that the Kid was not soo bright and was too young for this action. I only talked about his courage I mean how many 16 year old Canadians who could you name who served there lives for the Nation???

Now that you say this isn't going to help the Nation, you are totaly wronge. Do you know what's going on here, I mean everyone is telling each other that if a 16 year old boy could do that why can't we. I know this sounds wierd but don't forget that revelutions always sound wierd at start but when they end you see a fall down of a might.

And I can assure you one thing that from this act onward Canadian Army will never again put down his guard to show some respect but will keep it always up for his/her life.

I hope you got my point.

Learn your history, the Canadians have a reputation as some of the best close quarters fighters in the world. It's all that hockey we play I guess. We take war a lot more personally than the Americans, and I doubt many Canadians will be taking their Kevlar off or letting their guard down around Afghanis anymore. It's a shame really because we aren't there to enforce Imperialism as you seem to believe but to bring some sort of stability to a country that deserves it as much as any other place in the world. Painting the Canadians as some sort of surogate Americans is simplifying the situation out of all perspective. Talk to me about this later in the fall (after the summer capaign season) and tell me your impression of what Canadians are capable of and I guarentee you your view will be different. The sad thing is there'll be a lot of dead people on both sides by that time.

Read between the lines of this thread starting with the title "Axed Canadian". What you're saying in words and tone is we are the enemy and should be defeated. As for you not caring about Canadian history or culture, that's your loss because it's as rich and meaningful as any other peoples. I have no doubt that opposition to Canadians and other forces in Afghanastan is going to grow as the Taleban once again tries to take control of the country. I wish it wasn't the case but Canadians will be doing their talking on the battlefield for the first time in more than 50 years. Watch and learn, before you know it you'll know more about Canadian character than you ever thought possible.

He didn't serve his life for his nation, he let some immoral cowards like the Taleban are talk him into throwing his life away.

Thats really funny. Now i have to read between what i wrote to find the conspiracy. What is so controversial about using the term "Axed Canadian", I didnt write Axed Canadian Thug or something. In fact my reply is more an explanation for others that may read your 'i am a canadian and victim' propaganda ploy to discredit some imaginary enemy. Mr Greene was not a victim either, he was a soldier in a theater of war and i am sure knew of the risks when he joined the service.

Canadian culture or history is not "an area of interest" to me, although i am familiar with some regarding the commonwealth. Although u may be able to extend ur history to european history if you have european ancestry etc.

US policy decisions are why canadians are there and i hope it is not because the canadians find a need to show worth of character in battlefields, as u espouse.  There is nothing glorious about war no matter which side you are one. The glory bs is there to recruit gullible minds in absence of a real cause.

The problem is that I as an educated Afghan may understand the difference between Americans and Canadians but how in the world is a resident of a rural area who even don't know much about is own country, goint to differenciate Canadians from the Americans. For them all of the foriegners are one and they are the people who have accupied their nation.

I guess you are right some how, as if he was motivated by Taliban and Al-Qayeda then for sure that was just a waste of life as I really don't count the latter turned Taliban (most of whom were foriegners) as servents of country but enemies of.

      Capt. Trevor Greene

From a fellow British Columbian, best wishes in your recovery.

Personally I think you should always acknowledge the positive attributes of even your worst enemy, and to do other wise is dishonourable on your part.

Honestly Duke, I can't make any judgements about the soliders involved but this kind of reporting just makes me want to throw up. Honour your war dead, but do it in a way that actually honours them, not in a way that looks like the whining of a jingoistic media. Its extremely irritating. Do you seriously think that you can win any war thinking like that? Let alone win a war against a people who have been fighting for 30 years, and join in a firefight because its fun?

I don’t believe they can do this by fighting the Taliban – they can only do it by winning the trust of the locals and they work hard to achieve that. But - if you risk getting an axe to your head when you peacefully meet with the locals, that option will evaporate as well.
Bottom line is, as long as your countrymen are mislead to think that ISAF is the enemy, or – if the Afghani people prefer a radical Islamic country under the oppressive rule of Taliban, then there really isn’t much hope for your country.

Yes, hiking volcanoes…   but what will you suggest instead – to leave Taliban alone to educate more suicide bombers to travel the world and spread horror?
The locals of Afghanistan need to learn that the only peaceful way to coexist with the rest of the world is to get rid of Taliban. I understand it is difficult if/when a family member is Taliban. It’s difficult to deny him shelter and protection in the family – but some are apparently willing to take the risk and he (the Taliban) is willing to jeopardize the family by hiding amongst them. 

In my own opinion, a terrorist is someone who attack, kill or endanger innocent people by purpose, ie. a suicide bomber, a hi-jacker etc. etc.
The Mujahideen’s are not (necessarily) terrorists - the Taliban are not terrorists – but perhaps some of their actions could be considered actions of terror and someone is definitely educating and sheltering terrorists.

So my friend – my answer is neither as short nor as clear as I aimed it to be, but nevertheless you’ve got some answers.

Like stated above, now I have a few questions for you!

1. Say, the foreign troops, humanitarian workers and all pulled out tomorrow and left your country on its own – what would happen?
2. Say, you could decide and shape anything about the future for your country – how would you do that, what would you do?

Gharanai, I'm certainly no expert in these affairs, but it's obvious to me that you have been listening so much to hate-speeches and anti western propaganda, that you fail to see and understand the underlaying reasons for what is happening at your own doorstep.
I'm maybe naive, but ducking some of my questions and avoiding to reflect on statements by making a laugh at them, isn't very productive.      
However, let me comment on a few of your statements...

Name me one thing a westerner living a comfortable life in Europe or the US possibly could want from Afghanistan - at least, I can't think of anything.
But - you are right, we are not doing it for free. We are doing it in an attempt to stop terrorism and violations of human rights. So in return, we want your country and its people to stop sheltering terrorists and move forward, leave the medieval ages behind and to join a global community of prosperity and peace.
Is that a heavy price for our help and money?

You are not facing reality my friend.
Like you say, if the ISAF pulled out tomorrow, the events of 1991-1996 would repeat themselves. If I'm not mistaken, it was exactly this period where Taliban was founded by some of the most radical Mujihadeens and where they subsequently took power, allowing the camps of terrorists to blossom all over the country.
So if we follow your advice and withdraw our troops now, the Taliban will be back in power in less than a month - Your country would return to the Middel Ages in a heartbeat.
Are you seriously telling me you want this to happen?

How do you imagine the humanitarian help you suggest to continue/expand can function without protection from troops?
With Taliban in power, it isn't possible to help anyone.
It's bad enough, even as it is. Humanitarian workers are kidnapped and killed weekly.

Can you guarantee their safety without the troops? - no? - right, I didn't think you could.

So your good dreams for Afghanistan can only happen with the troops still remaining there for some years - and if you don't realise it, those dreams are already in progress.

Oh I am sorry as those laughs were not ment to avoid the question, so sorry if I have missed a question, please repeat it.

I really don't say that AlQaida doesn't exist or is a small time gangsters but what I said was about the time period when 9/11 happened for sure back then they were nothing but a bunch of US supplied and Pakistan trained guerilla fighters who fought the US war against the Soviets in the name of Islam.

As far as you want me to answer you of "a similar organisation capable of staging an event like 9/11", I would just say search for three letters  a C, an I and an A.
That will be of more help, for sure.

The one thing that you asked about would be better illustrated by a western government official as it is a question for me too that why in the world would you come to medieval (as you mentioned) country and start dividing the country in the name of religion back in 1970s and 80s, so that you (by you I don't exactly mean YOU) could give a defeat to the Soviets that you faced back in Vietnam and take you revenge which costed hundreds of thousands of Afghan lives.
I mean no one did ask them for it.
Again back to your question, as far as I guess and any wise guy would, the only reason that you all are here is just for Geo-political superiority against the emerging powers of China and Russia.

I never dreamed of my fellow countrymen killed like this, I never dreamed of my country broken in parts, I never dreamed of a foriegner telling me what's right and whats wrong.

So for sure it's not what I wanted, want or will want.

Let me just stage a short play for you.

Guess what we (Afghans) become the world power and step in to europe telling you to adopt our way of life under Islamic laws (same as Democracy and Capatalism is implemented on us), or we are going to lable you Terrorist (fighting for you rights, which you have inherited through out your history), living in Machine Age (compared to what you call ours the Medieval Age).

How will that sound to you? Will you forget your centuries old traditions and way of life and simply adopt what we would be asking you for, because to Us (not only Afghans but all muslims) that's the correct way of life (same as you all guess that your way of life is the correct one).

For 1010% your answer and the answers of many many more of people out there would be "NO WAY", so what do you think we are some animals whom you (agian I don't mean you yourself) will tell to follow your path and we will?

No my dear we too have our traditions, culture, way of life and opinion and no one ever can or will be able to implement their on us.

• I said that he, in my opinion, didn't understand the core reasons for what is happing around him (at his own doorstep).
• You changed that to mean he didn't understand other Afghans - and that is a totally different issue.

From your answers, it's evident that we have different sets of values and different perceptions of what we consider basic human rights.

I strongly support and believe in the human rights of the UN, whereas (as I read you) you prefer to support the rule of Taliban and subsequently adhere to their Sharia laws - two incompatibel mindsets.