Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Awash in opium, Afghan 'wild west' slips from Kabul's grasp
Source: Reuters
Awash in opium, Afghan 'wild west' slips from Kabul's grasp
BY JESSICA DONATI AND MIRWAIS HAROONI
FARAH, Afghanistan Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:54pm EST
(Reuters) - In fields less than a 10-minute drive from the intelligence headquarters of Afghanistan's remote western province of Farah, farmers are planting their first illegal opium crop of the year.
Taliban insurgents control half of the region bordering Iran, government officials estimate. In one district, Khaki Safed, the sacked local government chief refuses to step down.
Worried villagers there say a former Taliban commander is leading an armed band several dozen strong who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
"There are four administrations in Khaki Safed," said Benyamin Akhunzada, a bearded farmer in his 50s, keeping warm with a traditional wool shawl over his shoulders.
"One is the governor. Another is Afghan local police. Another is the Taliban. Another is Daish," he added, using the title popular in South Asia for Islamic State.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
BY JESSICA DONATI AND MIRWAIS HAROONI
FARAH, Afghanistan Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:54pm EST
(Reuters) - In fields less than a 10-minute drive from the intelligence headquarters of Afghanistan's remote western province of Farah, farmers are planting their first illegal opium crop of the year.
Taliban insurgents control half of the region bordering Iran, government officials estimate. In one district, Khaki Safed, the sacked local government chief refuses to step down.
Worried villagers there say a former Taliban commander is leading an armed band several dozen strong who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
"There are four administrations in Khaki Safed," said Benyamin Akhunzada, a bearded farmer in his 50s, keeping warm with a traditional wool shawl over his shoulders.
"One is the governor. Another is Afghan local police. Another is the Taliban. Another is Daish," he added, using the title popular in South Asia for Islamic State.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/17/us-afghanistan-opium-insight-idUSKBN0LL26W20150217
1 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
