KABUL, Afghanistan, March 8 (UPI) -- A directive on staging night raids stresses the importance of understanding Afghan culture, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan said.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who has already issued tough rules of engagement to his troops to avoid civilian casualties, said in his night-raid directive that in the Afghan culture "a man's home is more than just his residence" as it represents his family and "protecting it is closely intertwined with his honor."
Although the directive is classified, portions of it were released by NATO's International Security Assistance Force on its Web site "to ensure a broader awareness of" McChrystal's guidance to coalition forces.
Warning his troops on the dangers of night raids, McChrystal said in Afghanistan, a man is "conditioned to respond aggressively in defense of his home and his guests whenever he perceives his home or honor is threatened."
Noting the Afghan is a "war of perceptions," McChrystal said "how the Afghan people judge our conduct and perceive our intentions will be decisive factors in their decision to support their nation's struggle against the insurgency."
The directive said although night operations are essential to disrupt and defeat the insurgent groups, such operations also "come at a steep cost in terms of the perceptions of the Afghan people."
Coalition forces were urged to explore all other options before staging a night raid on compounds and homes.
"Afghans must be in the lead wherever possible, and we must coordinate these operations with (Afghan government officials and local elders) whenever possible," it said.
