Posted on 03/14/2004 3:36:09 PM PST by Eurotwit
KABUL: US-led forces have launched a sweeping new hunt in Afghanistan’s remote southern and eastern mountains where Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters, including Osama Bin Laden, are believed to be in hiding.
The operation, codenamed “Mountain Storm”, began on March 7 and involved troops from the 13,500-strong US-led force backed by air support, US military spokesman Lt Col Bryan Hilferty told a news briefing on Saturday.
“We believe that this will help bring the heads of the terrorist organisations to justice by continuing to place pressure on them,” he said. Asked whether the operation could lead to the arrest of Al Qaeda leader Bin Laden, Hilferty said, “This operation is aimed like the rest at rebuilding and reconstructing and providing enduring security in Afghanistan, so it’s certainly about more than one person.
We do have confidence though, and the leaders of Al Qaeda and the Taliban need to be brought to justice and they will be.” Hilferty said “Mountain Storm” was a continuation of previous operations and involved patrols, searches and small-scale air assaults. But he declined to provide details.
The fresh campaign comes after a surge in militant attacks on aid workers and foreigners, as well as against Afghan and US-led forces.
US defence officials in Washington speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was timed to exploit improving weather in the region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Bin Laden is believed to be. —Reuters
SA wouldn't accept him. Most Islamists view him as a hero, including a large part of the Saudi government.
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