New York Escorts: Is US Funding Both Sides in Afghan War?
The investigation was prompted by growing suspicions that some of the security firms are paying the Taliban for not attacking convoys transporting supplies to U.S. and NATO forces along highways where ambushes are common occurrences. Some of the firms are even suspected of paying the Taliban to mount attacks on competing companies.
“We’re funding both sides,” a NATO official told the Times on the condition of anonymity.
Suspicions grew, the Times reported, after two of the largest companies, Watan Risk Management and Compass Security, were banned from escorting NATO convoys between Kabul and Kandahar, following violent confrontations with Afghan civilians. On the day the ban took effect, a NATO caravan was attacked and an Afghan driver and a soldier were killed.
Two weeks later, more than 1,000 trucks were stalled on the highway, unable to advance. The Afghan government then gave Watan and Compass permission to resume escort services.