World News

Preparing for the New War

Written by Joshua Smith - 16th September, 2001

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After seeking, and receiving, assistance from the Pakistani Government in opening up the country's airspace to faciliate a possible series of air strike designed to flush out and annihilate the members of terrorist groups associated with Osama bin Laden, the world has been forced to ready itself for the first war of this millennium.

The borders seperating Pakistan and Iran from Afghanistan have been secured, and Pakistan has agreed to several additional provisions relating to the upcoming sustained effort of retaliation, though the specifics of these arrangements have not been released for security purposes. These decisions were, dramatically, made in the wake of threats from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia indicating that it would mobilise its military against any neighbouring countries that agree to support the US.

Pakistan has further delivered a hard-line ultimatum to the Taliban rulers stating that if they fail to hand over suspected mastermind and chief financer of the bombings Osama bin Laden within three days, massive military action will commence against the nation. This announcement has, according to CNN, come following a late-night conversation betwen George W Bush and his Pakistan counterpart Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan will reportedly gain significant economic support and military concessions in exchange for its support, despite the pressure placed on the country's leader by opposition leaders who deplore such as open showing of support for the US against their neighbour.

In addition, while Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry disclaimed reports that it would allow US troops to take up position within their country, which also borders on Afghanistan, the Interfax news agency has delivered reports suggesting that Russian troops of the 201st Division deployed in Tajikistan have been placed on higher alert. This comes after the United States' Cold War enemy Russia declared its support for the US in the war against terrorism.

Stateside, George W Bush has signalled that all ranks of the country's immense armed forces and other defence personnel should prepare for the possibility of immediate action, to be followed by a strong sustained international effort against terrorism. The country's Ready Reserve forces have been mobilised also, though Bush has indicated that patience is needed in this war in which the enemy is still an uncertain and elusive beast.

Addressing the press earlier today, President Bush, Secretary Powell and Attorney General Ashcroft made their most heated statements yet - reflecting an end to the nation's mourning and a desire for the majority to return to life as usual, while the military prepare to assault the terrorist cells of Bin Laden and others, while additionally striking at those who have harboured, fed, housed and backed said terrorist groups.

In response, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban made their clearest statement yet in declaring the country's conviction to waging a 'Holy War' against its oppressors if attacked. Mullah Mohammed Omar, the supreme leader of the Taliban made an extended address to the country's people via television last night in which he asked that the nation puts its faith in Allah and prepare to ready their defense against the US. Noting that Afghanistan has stood strong in the face of superpower invasions in the past, repelling two British attacks in the 19th Century and a short-lived Russian occupation during the 1980s.

Nevertheless, a flood of border-crossing by refugees has already commenced, and it is likely that tens of thousands of Afghanis will attempt to enter Iran, Pakistan and other bordering nations throughout the coming days.