Buerkle: “Green-On-Blue” Attacks Extremely Concerning

Syracuse, NY - Earlier today, a man in an Afghan uniform shot and killed three American troops in the Sangin district of Helmand province. According to US military command, this marks the third attack on coalition forces by Afghan counterparts in a week. On Tuesday two gunman killed a US soldier in Pakita province and on Thursday two Afghan soldiers attacked NATO troops outside a military base in eastern Afghanistan.

“The rising number of “green-on-blue” attacks is extremely concerning,” said Rep. Buerkle. “These tragic incidents complicate efforts to train Afghan soldiers and cause tension between Afghanistan and its Western allies. This growing trend needs to be taken seriously and we must do what we can to prevent future attacks of this nature.

“As America’s role in Afghanistan evolves, we must continue to be vigilant in protecting our troops, while ensuring that we are properly preparing the Afghan Army to provide security for its own country.”

This week’s attacks are the latest in a rising number of so-called "green-on-blue" attacks in which Afghan security forces, or insurgents disguised in their uniforms, kill US or NATO troops. At least 21 attacks of this nature have killed 30 foreign troops this year alone; an increase from 2011 when there were 11 such attacks, killing 20.