Coaltion Troops Now Armed 24-7 on All Afghan Bases

(Newsroom America) -- Due to a dramatic rise in attacks on U.S. and NATO troops by Afghan security forces, all coalition service members have been ordered to carry loaded weapons at all times at NATO headquarters and on all Afghan bases, CNN reported Monday.

The change was ordered by Gen. John Allen, the NATO commander in Afghanistan, sources told the news service. The order came following two more so-called "green-on-blue" insider attacks Friday.

A member of the Afghan National Police opened fire on U.S. troops in the southwest Farah province, killing two. Meanwhile, two International Security Assistance Force and one Afghan service member were wounded by another Afghan service member in the Kandahar province, in the south.

The insider attacks signal a shift in Taliban strategy, analysts say, whereby Afghans loyal to the insurgency infiltrate Afghan National Police and army units to attack coalition troops.

The new order comes as the U.S. and NATO examine counter-strategies to better protect forces.

Formerly, troops on some bases already carried weapons loaded with a magazine but no round in the chamber. The new order, however, directs forces to carry weapons in that manner at all times, and in all places.

The insurgent strategy was laid out on a Taliban militant Web site monitored by SITE Intelligence Group, which keeps track of all such groups on the Internet.

"Many Afghans in the rank and files of the enemy have shown a willingness to help the (Taliban) in a shrewd manner," it said. "As a result, the foreign invaders and their allies at their military centers and bases are suffering crushing blows by these heroic soldiers."

© 2012 Newsroom America.

Newsroom America Twitter Feed