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Tribes Can Be Critical Allies

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The Associated Press

Published: November 7, 2008

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Afghan tribes are needed as crucial battlefield allies against the Taliban and other extremists in the same way local militias rose up to oppose insurgents in Iraq, the new military overseer of America's two wars said Thursday.

The tactic has long been endorsed by Gen. David Petraeus, the former top U.S. commander in Iraq whose outreach to Sunni sheiks helped oust al-Qaida-inspired militants from key areas and sharply decreased attacks.

His comments, coming on his first trip to Afghanistan since taking charge of U.S. Central Command last week, appeared aimed at pressing the Afghan leadership to recognize the need for tribal militia allies at a time when violence in Afghanistan is at its highest levels since 2001.

"This is a country in which support of the tribes, of the local communities, for the overall effort is essential," Petraeus said.

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