Afghanistan's Insider Threat: When Bases Become Killing Fields

Soldiers can be killed on their bases in Afghanistan. For example, in 2021, an Afghan service member turned his gun on two U.S. soldiers, killing them just weeks before the U.S. signed a peace deal with the Taliban. In another incident, a suicide bomber killed more than 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members at the Kabul airport. In addition, foreign workers on U.S. bases in Afghanistan have been killed or injured and are often unable to get the compensation required by U.S. rules.

Foreign workers on US bases

Foreign workers, or third-country nationals (TCNs), are an integral part of the US military's operations in Afghanistan and beyond. TCNs are often from developing countries such as Nepal, the Philippines, and Uganda, and perform a variety of tasks, including cafeteria work, janitorial services, and security.

TCNs are vulnerable to exploitative practices by private contractors and subcontractors on US bases. They are often subject to unfair recruitment fees, passport confiscation, and poor working conditions, including long hours and low pay. These practices can effectively trap TCNs in their jobs, as they become indebted to recruiters and are unable to leave.

While the US Department of Defense has stated its commitment to combating human trafficking and instituted a "zero tolerance policy," there appears to be a lack of transparency and accountability regarding labor violations. The military has taken limited action against contractors, with few prosecutions or terminations.

The privatization of military functions and the use of foreign labor have contributed to a system that exploits TCNs, with little recourse or protection for victims.

War-induced breakdown of the economy

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the economy, causing widespread impoverishment and destroying lives, public health, security, and infrastructure. The conflict has led to food insecurity, malnutrition, and a decline in access to healthcare and education. The war has also resulted in the destruction of physical and human capital, disrupted trade and investment, and increased debt.

The opportunity cost of war is significant, as resources that could have been invested in education, healthcare, or green energy are instead spent on weapons and rebuilding. The war economy has led to higher interest rates and long-term debt, with a higher ratio of national debt to GDP. The loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure have impacted labour productivity and total factor productivity.

The war in Afghanistan has contributed to economic setbacks in the US and other advanced economies, with higher borrowing rates and lost opportunities for investment in public infrastructure and services. The hundreds of billions of dollars invested in military assets during the war could have been used to boost capital improvements in core infrastructure. The war has also impacted interest rates charged to borrowers, as war spending is financed entirely by debt, increasing the national debt.

The negative economic consequences of war are well-documented and include reduced economic growth, inflation, and a decline in production and consumption. War can lead to higher oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and reduced gains from domestic and foreign trade. It can also result in a loss of economic freedom and political freedom, with negative impacts on employment and investment.

The impact of war on economic growth is complex and depends on various factors, including the type of war, the country's economic situation, and the availability of alternative investment opportunities. However, the overall effect is negative, with war-torn countries experiencing significant GDP per capita losses and long-term scarring effects on their productive capacity.

US soldiers killing Afghan civilians

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in the deaths of many civilians. The US military has been accused of killing Afghan civilians in several instances.

The Maywand District Murders

In one of the most serious accusations of war crimes to emerge from the Afghan conflict, twelve American soldiers were charged with the secret murders of three Afghan civilians. The soldiers, who referred to themselves as the "Kill Team", were members of the 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, and 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. They were based at FOB Ramrod in Maiwand, in Kandahar Province of Afghanistan.

The soldiers were charged with murdering three Afghan men who were allegedly killed for sport in separate attacks. Seven others were accused of covering up the killings and assaulting a recruit who exposed the murders when he reported other abuses, including members of the unit smoking hashish stolen from civilians.

The first target was Gul Mudin, who was killed "by means of throwing a fragmentary grenade at him and shooting him with a rifle", when the patrol entered the village of La Mohammed Kalay in January. The second victim, Marach Agha, was shot and killed the following month. In May, Mullah Adahdad was killed after being shot and attacked with a grenade.

Five soldiers – Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs, Specialist Jeremy Morlock, Private First Class Andrew Holmes, Michael Wagnon, and Adam Winfield – faced murder charges while seven others were charged with participating in a coverup.

Other Incidents

In April 2013, Afghan villagers sat near the bodies of children who were reported to have been killed during a NATO airstrike in Kunar province.

In 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales murdered 16 Afghan civilians and wounded six others in the Panjwayi District of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Nine of his victims were children, and 11 of the dead were from the same family. Some of the corpses were partially burned.

In 2011, an Afghan service member shot and killed two US soldiers just three weeks before the US signed a landmark peace deal with the Taliban.

In 2010, a US soldier was killed in an explosion in the Babaji area of Lashkar Gah district, in the Nahr-e Saraj (South) area of operations, in central Helmand.

Insider attacks

In recent years, there has been a downward trend in the number of insider attacks against US troops in Afghanistan, with no such attacks reported during the closing months of 2020. This decrease has been attributed to the February 2020 peace agreement between the US and the Taliban, which incentivized the Taliban to refrain from directly attacking US and coalition forces. Additionally, the drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan has reduced their exposure to potential hostiles within the ANSF ranks.

However, insider attacks against Afghan forces have surged in recent years, with an 82% increase in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. These attacks fuel fears that local troops and police will struggle to maintain stability as the US withdraws its forces from the country. The increase in insider attacks is believed to be a deliberate and calculated effort by the Taliban to demoralize the ANSF and prepare for civil war.

The rise in insider attacks poses a significant threat to the cohesion and effectiveness of Afghan forces, who are already facing challenges such as ammunition shortages and payment delays. The Taliban's ability to infiltrate the ANSF and turn their guns on coalition forces underscores the complexity and dangers inherent in the conflict in Afghanistan.

Suicide bombings

• Suicide bombings have been a common tactic employed by insurgents in Afghanistan, including the Taliban and Islamic State groups.
• These bombings often target military bases, convoys, and checkpoints, endangering the lives of soldiers and civilians.
• In August 2021, a suicide bombing at Kabul airport killed over 170 Afghans and 13 US service members. This attack highlighted the persistent danger faced by soldiers, even at a major airport under US control.
• In December 2019, a suicide car bombing at Bagram Air Base, the main US base north of Kabul, killed 2 civilians and wounded over 70 people. The Taliban claimed responsibility.
• In November 2020, a suicide bombing at a military base in Ghazni province killed 31 soldiers and wounded 24 others. This attack demonstrated the ability of insurgents to carry out large-scale bombings even against secured military installations.
• In some cases, suicide bombings are used as a prelude to complex attacks involving gunfire and other explosives. This was evident in a September 2011 attack on a NATO military base in Wardak province, where a suicide bomber detonated a truck bomb, enabling insurgents to attack the base.
• Suicide bombings have resulted in significant casualties among soldiers. For example, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that as of July 2015, 454 British forces personnel or civilians had died in Afghanistan since 2001, with 405 killed due to hostile action.
• The threat of suicide bombings has also impacted foreign workers and contractors at military bases. A 2022 report by Brown University revealed that foreign workers, particularly from developing countries, faced significant risks during their employment at US bases in Afghanistan.
• The issue of suicide bombings extends beyond military personnel. Afghan civilians have frequently been victims of such attacks, with thousands losing their lives or suffering injuries.
• The Afghan government and US forces have implemented security measures, such as perimeter control and intelligence gathering, to mitigate the threat of suicide bombings. However, the effectiveness of these measures has been variable.

In summary, suicide bombings in Afghanistan have been a persistent and deadly threat to soldiers, foreign workers, and civilians. Insurgent groups like the Taliban and Islamic State have frequently employed this tactic, resulting in significant casualties and contributing to the ongoing security challenges in the country.

Frequently asked questions