Posted on 12/09/2007 2:31:10 PM PST by HAL9000
The massive Coalition assault on Musa Qala, dubbed Operation Mar Kardad (Snake Pit), scored its first series of casualties against the swarm of Taliban and foreign fighters entrenched in the city center. A targeted air strike killed a local commander known to be involved in arm and drug trafficking along with several of his aids, according to a US military statement. The three pronged assault on the city’s outskirts was launched yesterday with thousands of Afghan army and British troops along with US, Danish and Estonian forces taking part in the operation.
Local Taliban commanders have previouslyclaimed having nearly 2,000 fighters including suicide bombers in position to defend the city, a figure ISAF officials have publicly doubted.
The only exit route is north, which leads to the rugged mountain district of Baghran. Afghan government officials have urged the Taliban to lay down their arms and exit north, an offer many fighters are reportedly taking. The AP reports that scores of fighters are exiting the northern route dressed as civilians. Still, stubborn Taliban commanders inside the city are claiming they will fight to the death. It is widely known that the Taliban have spent many of the last ten months sowing the avenues into the city with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
The Taliban have tightly controlled the district since they overran it in February. Fearing Coalition air strikes, the Taliban never set up official offices or compounds for administrative tasks preferring to use civilian houses and infrastructure to conduct military meetings and court hearings. The Afghan Defense Ministry announced in a statement that Afghan forces have nabbed two Musa Qala Taliban commanders, identified as Mullah Matin Akhund and Mullah Rahim Akhund. This follows the coordinated decapitation campaign against Taliban leadership elements inside the district for the past several months. Just this week, a targeted air strike killed Mullah Ikhalas inside the city center, according to a US military statement.
Two ISAF soldiers have died so far in the initial thrust of Operation Kardad, both of which were identified as British soldiers. There is an unknown of Afghan army casualties also taken during combat last night. Two children have also died in the battle, according to the Defense Ministry. The battle is expected to last at least a week with ISAF and Afghan forces moving slowly due to the threat of Taliban landmines and roadside bombs. "The concern about IEDs is high so they are moving in methodically," spokesman Major Charles Anthony told AFP.
Musa Qala Taliban commandersMullah Ahamd (Ahmadullah)- a Taliban sub-commander and spokesman in Musa Qala
Mullah Tor Jan- one of the lead Taliban commanders in Musa Qala
Commander Enqiadi- a top Taliban commander in Musa Qala
Mullah Ikhalas- Commander in Musa Qala killed during a targeted air strike
Mullah Abdul Matin and Mullah Rahim Akhund- Both were arrested by Afghan forces according to the Defense Ministry. Mullah Rahim is identified as the Taliban 'governor of Helmand' while Mullah Abdul Matin served as their 'Musa Qala district governor.'
Abdul Satar- local Musa Qala sub-commander and spokesman for the Taliban
Mullah Malang Jan- regional Taliban commander
Off with their heads!!!!!
Why don’t they set a trap for them as they flee north too?
Shovel ‘em in a funnel and wipe ‘em out....my sentiments exactly.
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=32.452788&lon=64.740665&z=13.2&r=0&src=msl
See Sun Tzu's "The Art of War".
***The only exit route is north***
Leave it to the terrorist not to think about it.
Operation Snake Pit...going after a Taliban stronghold. An appropriately-named operation.
It’s pretty far from the border. Mostly desert backing up to mountains to the North. Lots of poppies.
Please pray for the Marines that are leading the way.
“Afghan government officials have urged the Taliban to lay down their arms and exit north, an offer many fighters are reportedly taking.”
Giving these savages an opportunity to live another day is quite possibly the dumbest military strategy ever devised. We should have dropped leaflets over the city telling them that only women and children will be allowed out and after that we would kill every Talibani without mercy. That’s a message they will actually understand.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.