Three hundred German troops backed by Marder infantry fighting vehicles are supporting 4 times that number of Afghan troops. Welcome to the fight, Germany:
The Bundeswehr is supporting the Afghans with around 300 members of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). Their primary role is to help secure the area around the fighting and provide reconnaissance. A German armoured Dingo military vehicle has been shot at and the Taliban has fired rockets at the German base in Kunduz. On Sunday they fired five rockets and on Monday another two. One of them hit the edge of the base but it didn't cause any damage.
The operation, which is being fought mainly by Afghan soldiers trained by the Bundeswehr, marks a further step away from Germany's original stabilization mission and towards a more offensive military operation. Slowly and without any official announcement, German soldiers are being drawn into the fight against the Taliban, who have massively increased their attacks on the Germans in recent months.
I worry that if the German public becomes fully aware of this change of mission that the plug will be pulled on the change in mission.
But for now I'll just wish the Germans well and give my thanks for stepping up to the plate.
