Looks like the locals aren't rolling over without a stiff argument ... too bad the SF program didn't seem to bolster their 'militia' potential:
Afghans say recent Taliban advances forced them to take up arms
At least 500 residents in Parwan province pick up guns as the September 11 withdrawal deadline of US forces creeps closer.
Ghorband Valley, Afghanistan – Zahir Salangi, a member of Afghanistan’s parliament from the northern province of Parwan, had hoped to settle down on a “doshak” (cushion) to catch a quick nap when the sound of gunfire came pouring through the already damaged house he had set up as a base.
“I haven’t slept in four days,” he told Al Jazeera last week as he sat up to give orders to the nearly two dozen volunteer fighters he had recruited in the fight against the Taliban.
The volunteers say Taliban fighters routinely fire on them from the mountains surrounding the lush valley.
As Salangi rose to his feet, one of the fighters started to shout commands into the walkie-talkie. Piles of glass shards from previous gunfights broke into smaller pieces under the weight of his boots as he paced from one side of the room to the other.
“Respond! Don’t stop firing! Don’t leave them without an answer,” he said while the sounds of gunfire echoed from the mountaintops.
The men are among at least 500 local residents who have picked up guns in recent weeks as the September 11 withdrawal deadline of the United States’ forces creeps closer.
At least 500 residents in Parwan province pick up guns as September 11 withdrawal deadline of US forces creeps closer.
www.aljazeera.com