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LATE SNOWFALL BURNS AFGHAN CIVILIANS

May 11 2009

Kabul, Afghanistan – For many people snow is a way of life. Throughout Europe, northern Asia and the majority of North America the appearance of the frosty white condensation is a way of life, often celebrated at the start of the season and cursed by the end. The end of winter is usually as celebrated as its beginning as the thaw
begins and weather begins to warm. In Afghanistan though, a late phosphorus snowfall has left many cursing Mother Nature as winter seems to go on forever.

Snowflakes are made up of crystallized water, precipitation cooled before it reaches the ground resulting in tiny flakes of ice. White Phosphorus is a toxic form of elemental phosphorous used in smoke grenades and occasionally in bombs. Though similar in colour, the two materials differ dramatically in their effects on human skin. Snow
causes a mild cooling effect that accelerates as more and more material accumulates. White Phosphorus is highly flammable and causes severe chemical burns when it comes in contact with human skin. As white flakes began falling on Afghan civilians in Farah province where more than 100 died, villagers weren’t sure whether to curse the return of winter, or run for cover to avoid potentially fatal burns.

“When White Phosphorus is ignited it can burn to the bone literally. Snow of course can chill you to the bone, but that’s not quite the same thing. For most people in most circumstances throwing on a sweater will negate the effects of snow but it’s not so easy to pervert the effects of Phosphorus which can also lead to toxic poisoning and organ failure,” said Scrape TV International Conflict analyst Mario Martinez. “Snow of course just keeps coming and coming and can almost seem like death but does eventually go away. White Phosphorus has to be deprived of oxygen and rinsed with water thoroughly but even then still leaves massive burns and scars in those lucky enough to survive.”

It’s not clear if the White Phosphorus used in the Farah attack was used by Taliban forces, who have used the chemical on four other occasions, or by the U.S. Military, who has used the chemical extensively through both world wars, during the Vietnam conflict, and most recently in Iraq. Use of the chemical against civilian targets is considered by many countries, though not by the United States, a war crime.

“There’s war crime and then there’s war crime. The general rule when it comes to military conflict is if you simply do not acknowledge the
rules of war you don’t have to abide by them. Of course if you lose other people will make you pay but the key is to simply not lose and when you are the United States
you only ever kind of lose,” continued Martinez. “It is entirely possible that is the Americans did use the chemical they did intend to drop snow. Anyone who grew up in northern climes will understand only well how demoralizing a snowfall in May would be. White Phosphorus is nothing compared to the power of snow. The Taliban may have just thrown up their hands in defeat if that had happened.”

Through nearly a decade of fighting with the most powerful military in the world, Taliban forces have begun surging in power in recent months both in Afghanistan and in northern Pakistan, leading many to believe that the battle is not going so well.

“The allies beat Germany, Italy, and Japan in six years and they had two of the most sophisticated and dedicated military forces in human history. The Taliban is a little less
formidable but they have been able to hold ground for nearly eight year now and show no signs of letting up. Maybe it’s time to try new things like snow because burning up people doesn’t seem to be working” continued Martinez. “If the United States can somehow master weather technology they would be able to not only destroy the Taliban’s morale with snow, but also create literal lightning strikes and keep them busy keeping their cave entrances free of snow. There’s no worse feeling than clearing out the entrance to your cave only to have a tank roll by and screw it up.”

Thus far, American military forces have not yet perfected weather control technology and officially are staying with traditional weapons regardless of their legality.

Emil Uliya, International Correspondent

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