WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says he is "very concerned" about recent attacks on U.S. and NATO troops by their Afghan allies and the impact of the attacks on cooperation.
"Our enemies have attempted to undermine the trust between the coalition and the Afghan forces, and in particular they have tried to take credit for a number of so-called green-on-blue or insider attacks," Panetta said at the Pentagon.
He said such attacks have involved 31 Afghans, but "do not reflect the dedication" of Afghan security forces.
"One of the reasons the Taliban is targeting in this manner is the success that our Afghan partners are having on the battlefield," he said.
Panetta pledged improved intelligence, counterintelligence training, and other measures to help combat the attacks.
"Our enemies have attempted to undermine the trust between the coalition and the Afghan forces, and in particular they have tried to take credit for a number of so-called green-on-blue or insider attacks," Panetta said at the Pentagon.
He said such attacks have involved 31 Afghans, but "do not reflect the dedication" of Afghan security forces.
"One of the reasons the Taliban is targeting in this manner is the success that our Afghan partners are having on the battlefield," he said.
Panetta pledged improved intelligence, counterintelligence training, and other measures to help combat the attacks.
