Taliban Launch Counter Operation Against US in Afghanistan

[tekisui]

Source: Telegraph

More than 4,000 American marines and 650 Afghan soldiers have only met isolated resistance since storming into the southern Helmand river valley five days ago.

The US Operation Khanjar, or 'sword strike', is the first big push of Barack Obama's surge strategy in Afghanistan and designed to turn the tide against the stubborn insurgency.

Commanders also hope the massive assault will persuade some insurgents they have no alternative but to enter talks with the government.

However, Yousef Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said fighters had now responded with Operation Foladi Jal, or "iron net".

He said: "Their Khanjar will get stuck in our Foladi Jal." "In this operation we'll teach them a lesson so they will never again dare to come into our areas."

"We will not engage them in front battles. We would rather hit them by mines and guerrilla attacks," he said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties and it was not clear when the offensive would start. Coalition commanders have said they had expected fighters to withdraw in the face of the initial assault operation and then re-group using guerilla tactics.

The threat was made as the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade said 500 marines had re-established Afghan government control in the Khan Neshin area.


more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/5758136/Taliban-launch-counter-operation-against-US-in-Afghanistan.html

[FarCenter]

1. It's sunny with daytime highs averaging 105 degrees

I'd think the Taliban would let the Marines run around in the heat with full body armor for a few weeks.

Daytime high averages don't fall below 90 until mid to late September.