Claims of Taliban Gains ‘Way Overblown’ Pentagon
Reports that suggest the Taliban have gained a footing in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province are “way overblown,” a Pentagon spokesman said today. Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters at a news conference that although an increased Taliban presence has been detected in the province, patrols conducted by Afghan National Police and coalition forces “found no evidence that militants control the area.”
Press reports from the region said the Taliban had taken seven villages in the area and were poised for an attack on the city of Kandahar. “While in the area, coalition forces moved freely and met no resistance,” Morrell said. “Recent reports of militant control in the area appear to be unfounded.”
Traditionally, summer is the fighting season in Afghanistan, Morrell said. The press secretary stated that no coalition official is worried that Kandahar is about to fall to the Taliban. “Quite to the contrary, they are confident that they have the forces necessary to secure RC South,” Morrell said. “There are going to be attempts by the Taliban to put up some resistance.”
In the wake of a prison break by hundreds of Taliban fighters over the weekend, NATO’s International Security Assistance Force is moving a battalion to the area to deal with the aftermath. U.S. aviation assets are assisting the movement and are helping forces round up those who escaped, Morrell said.
Afghan National Police, Coalition forces patrol Arghandab, also report of militant control unfounded. Afghan National Police and Coalition forces completed a patrol in the Arghandab District of Kandahar province today and found no evidence that militants control the area. While in the area, Coalition forces moved freely and met no resistance. Recent reports of militant control in the area appear to be unfounded. The threat of militant activity still exists throughout the province, but the patrol found no indication that militants have overwhelming strength in the Arghandab area.
Afghanistan based U.S. helicopters responded to a small-arms fire attack at approximately 2 p.m. in Kunar province near the Pakistan border. Two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters conducting routine ISAF patrols near the border responded to the attack which occurred approximately two kilometers from the border. At no time did any aircraft enter Pakistani airspace.
ISAF forces also responded to the attack with artillery fire. All rounds were confirmed to have landed in Afghanistan.
You must be logged in to post a comment.