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‘Anaconda’ Exposes the Dangers to U.S. Forces
Tuesday, March 5, 2002
France-Presse (AFP)

The terrain favours the besieged who hold the snowy mountaintops, which hampers the progress of the anti-Taliban fighters.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- AFP
The loss of a helicopter and the death of at least eight troops so far in an offensive in eastern Afghanistan illustrates the risks to the United States of engaging in ground combat with an enemy who is besieged but determined and well trained.

Since the start of its operation in Afghanistan against the Taliban and terror suspect Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, the US has not faced such deadly resistance.

In holding their ground near Gardez against such a massive and well-planned US operation, the alQaeda forces, which were thought shattered by the Tora Bora bombing and reduced to small pockets of resistance, have clearly shown they are far from finished.

The US has recorded its heaviest losses after five months of a military campaign largely conducted from the air by B-52 heavy bombers and through arming and advising anti-Taliban Afghan forces engaged in ground combat.

This time, the US-led operation — codenamed "Anaconda" — aimed at crushing several hundred diehard Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters who have regrouped in the Arma mountains of Paktia province, has come up against difficulties.

It was preceded by distribution of arms to militias to take part in the assault on Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters dug into hideouts in the mountains.
(More: The New Straits Times News Source)
2002 © France-Presse (AFP).

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