Taliban claim two Spanish victims

“Revolt against Spanish troops”, headlines Público. The Madrid daily, along with the rest of the national press, is given over to news of the killing of two Spanish police officers along with their interpreter in the Afghanistan’s north-west Badghis province. Following the shootings, hundreds of area residents gathered at the gate to the Spanish camp of Qala-e-Naw, chanting and throwing stones. The killings and attempted assault on the base are part of a Taliban strategy to provoke a “popular uprising against Spanish forces”, writes Público. The attacks have taken place in the midst of a debate about whether the 2000 strong Spanish contingent should remain in Afghanistan. The Spanish minister of defense has insisted that Spain will stick to the ISAF schedule and withdraw from Afghanistan next year.