The Afghan “Zero Units” Linked to National Guard Shooting Suspect
Circulating images have surfaced online, featuring an ID badge linked to the suspect in the shooting of National Guard members. This badge identifies the individual as part of the “Kandahar Strike Force,” a unit known as “03.” This group is categorized among the controversial “Zero Units” that operated with U.S. and allied forces during the Afghanistan conflict.
Background on the Zero Units
The ID badge displays a connection to “Firebase Gecko,” a base historically utilized by the CIA and special forces in Kandahar. This location was once the site of the Taliban’s founding leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has indicated that the suspect had prior affiliations with the U.S. Government, including the CIA, operating as a partner force in Kandahar.
Structure and Operations
- The Zero Units were exclusively composed of Afghan nationals.
- They operated under the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s intelligence agency.
- These units received funding and training from the CIA, mainly for operational secrecy.
A former senior Afghan general confirmed that the Kandahar Strike Force was part of the NDS’s special forces directory. He described it as one of the most effective and professionally equipped forces, trained by the CIA. Operations conducted by these units were primarily under CIA command.
Controversial Reputation
The Zero Units gained notoriety for their secrecy and alleged involvement in numerous extrajudicial killings. Their activities, particularly during night raids, drew significant criticism due to the high civilian casualties associated with them. Despite this controversial record, the U.S. and its allies regarded these units as reliable indigenous forces.
Implications for the Suspect
With ties to a Zero Unit, the shooting suspect likely possessed a viable route to U.S. asylum. Members of these elite military groups were at a heightened risk of Taliban retribution following the group’s return to power in Afghanistan. Many served critical roles during the August 2021 evacuation from Kabul, where options for escape were promised to them and their families.
Current Situation
No immediate responses have been received from the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Officials in Kabul have not commented on the suspect’s arrest, and inquiries directed at various spokespeople remain unanswered.
As the situation evolves, the implications of the suspect’s background and affiliations with the Zero Units continue to raise pressing questions regarding security and humanitarian policies in the region.
