Forces begin closing in on Taliban-held town

[unhappycamper]

Forces begin closing in on Taliban-held town
By Jason Straziuso - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Dec 9, 2007 10:58:03 EST

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan, British and U.S. troops closed in on a Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, sparking fierce clashes, officials said.

A statement from the Afghan Defense Ministry said Taliban fighters in the town of Musa Qala should lay down their weapons or face a “wave of attacks.”

A Musa Qala resident said Taliban fighters were surrounded and had been pushed back into the town’s center. Haji Mohammad Rauf said “fierce fighting” was taking place.

Taliban militants have held Musa Qala since February, but NATO and Afghan troops have stepped up operations there in recent weeks and appear poised to take back the town from the hundreds of Taliban and foreign fighters who have controlled it this year. Musa Qala is in northern Helmand province, the world’s largest poppy growing region.

“Right now we are 2 kilometers from Musa Qala town,” said Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, the Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman. “The Afghan National Army along with NATO and U.S. Special Forces are carrying out the operation.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_musaqala_071209/



uhc comment: Here's an article from Down Under about the fighting --> http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22897627-5005361,00.html