At least 20 Afghan civilians wounded as attackers target mosque and market

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Nearly two dozen Afghan civilians were wounded when two grenades exploded inside a mosque compound and a bicycle bomb blew up in a city market, officials said.

The violence on Wednesday came a day after bomb blasts around Afghanistan killed at least 50 people in the deadliest day for civilians this year, as Taliban insurgents and other militants ramp up violence across the country.

The Taliban summer offensive coincides with Afghan police and soldiers taking on more responsibility for security while international forces start to withdraw.

Separately, Nato reported that one of its service members had been killed on Wednesday in an insurgent attack in the east. Nato did not disclose the nationality of the soldier or provide any more details. So far this year, 285 international troops have been killed in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/15/afghan-civilians-wounded-mosque-market

[Roy Rolling]

1. Ludicrous defense budget

This is why the US defense budget is obscene---how many aircraft carriers, missles, and tanks can they use to defeat an enemy who is so cowardly that they only shoot at unarmed civilians?

[NoMoreWarNow]

2. it's obscene to spend so much on this enemy; our whole "defense" establishment is insanely bloated

this war is unwinnable and just a waste. It time to downsize the military and it's time to get out of Afghanistan-- NOW.