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Afghans Commanders Say 'Anaconda' Failed
American Attitude Criticized

Saturday, March 16, 2002
(4:03 PM ET)
The Associated Press

To hear American military officials tell it, Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan was a huge success. But veteran Afghan commanders see it differently.

They say it failed, because many al-Qaida and Taliban fighters got away.

Afghans who fought the brutal 1980s war against the Soviets say al-Qaida is a formidable enemy. They say this opponent knows how to fight a guerrilla war and won't just disappear.

With Operation Anaconda winding down, U.S. officials say hundreds of the enemy were killed, making it a success.

But Afghan commanders dispute the estimate of hundreds of al-Qaida and Taliban casualties. They judge success by how many of the enemy were killed or captured.

One commander said America doesn't listen to anyone. He said most people escaped, so how can you call that a success?
(More: Cleveland/Akron NewsNet5.com News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Dan