AFGHANISTAN: Mapping Green-on-Blue Attacks

Tracking the Cost

A Washington-based think tank has begun tracking attacks by Afghan soldiers and policemen on U.S. and coalition troops with an interactive webpage that will map the attacks’ location in relation to provinces, cities, dates and casualties.

(U.S Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau)

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) announced today (Nov. 1) that it was launching the new webpage which will place data about so-called green-on-blue attacks in context for researchers and the news media. Between 2007 and 2012 there have been 69 documented green-on-blue attacks, also known as insider attacks  — 40 of them in 2012 alone, according to the ISW. The uncertainty and mistrust such attacks cause could endanger the International Security Assistance Force’s mission to train Afghan security forces to take over responsibility for Afghanistan’s security in 2014

In addition to maps locating every attack, the website will track those attacks with charts noting whether the attack was made by members of the Army or Police, whether they happen in the field, on a base or somewhere else. When and where they happened and what the frequency in a given time period were also noted. Sources and methodology will also be reported.