Taliban fighters seize south Afghan area

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Taliban militants overran a district in southern Afghanistan and are pushing for control of another key area, sparking fierce clashes with NATO and Afghan forces that have left more than 100 people dead over three days, officials said Tuesday.

Hundreds of Taliban fighters launched raids on police posts near the strategic town of Chora in Uruzgan province Saturday, forcing NATO, backed by fighter jets, to respond. Fighting was continuing Tuesday, and some officials reported there have been dozens of civilian casualties.

Also late Monday, Taliban occupied Miya Nishin district in neighboring Kandahar province, said provincial police chief Esmatullah Alizai. Authorities were planning an operation to retake the remote area, he said.

The insurgent push in the south appears to be the biggest Taliban offensive of the year and marks a change in tactics.

Until now, militants have relied largely on suicide and roadside bombings this year as NATO forces have escalated their operations to root them out. Violence has swelled, claiming about 2,400 lives during 2007, according to an Associated Press tally of figures from Western military and Afghan officials.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_re_as/afghanistan;_ylt=Ai_5VcyS1DewGKPlaMp3L1jMWM0F

[maddezmom]

1. Can't be..... they weren't able to launch their spring offensive

:sarcasm:


Taliban failed to mount spring offensive, NATO says


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2880646

[Igel]

4. They cut it a bit close.

6/19 is hardly what most people consider "spring".

Traditionally offensives appear to start earlier than summer. Then again, the Taliban have never been very big on tradition of any kind, have they?

[LynnTheDem]

2. Does George W. bUsh want to revise his statement of 2003;

"The Taleban are no more."

[acmavm]

3. Things are going well in Afganistan I see.

Wonder if Laura bush** is still planning on provided educational opportunities for women and girls over there? Because I don't think this bunch of horrible, backward, religious fanatics are gonna let it happen.

Oh wait, it was Laura bush** who did all the big-talking, wasnt' it. Hell, never mind. She didn't mean it anyway. But isn't one of the terrible twins a teacher? Maybe they should pack her ass up and send her over to keep her Momma's promise.