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U.S. Forces On Ground in Afghanistan
Friday, October 19, 2001
(11.50 AM UK)
The Guardian Staff & agencies

The US president, George Bush, in Shanghai, refused to confirm reports that special forces are in Afghanistan for ground combat.

* Signs grow of imminent ground offensive
* Taliban deny US killed Bin Laden lieutenant
* Taliban goads US: 'send in 100,000 troops'

A handful of US special forces are operating in southern Afghanistan, a senior US government official confirmed today amid growing indications that the campaign's "ground phase" was close to beginning.

The official said that a small number of US forces were supporting efforts by the intelligence community to undermine the Taliban regime.

Speaking anonymously, the official said military action could increase significantly in coming days but that there would never be a conventional force the size of that used in the Gulf war.

US defence officials confirmed soon after the air offensive was launched that special forces were operating in Afghanistan. British special forces are also believed to have entered the country. However, until now it had been assumed that they were involved solely in target identification work during the daily attacks by aircraft and guided missiles.
(More: The Guardian News Source)
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2001.

Dan