Posted on 10/11/2001, 1:54:30 PM by maquiladora
AIR strikes on Afghanistan will continue until next summer, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Michael Boyce said today.
He said the air operation was "impressive" so far but added: "We are very much still at the beginning. We must expect to go through the winter and into next summer at the very least."
Sir Michael said the coalition has struck more than 40 targets. "Battle damage assessments are being made and may change, but overall the results we are getting are encouraging.
"Attacks will not always be as obvious as they have been over the last four days. Sometimes you will know and sometimes you will not know what is going on."
Sir Michael said the RAF had flown about 20 operational sorties over the last two nights. "Many terrorist camps have suffered considerable damage, as have a number of Taliban facilities. In particular, their early warning and air defence systems have been crippled."
He said equally important was the huge psychological effects on the Taliban. "The Taliban leadership may make defiant statements, but the Talibs on the ground can see which way the wind is blowing and they should be getting the message about our determination to root out al Qa'eda."
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told a London press conference that some of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar's followers are deserting him as the coalition strikes start to bite. "It is clear that the coalition effort is already having an impact on Taliban cohesion."
He repeated that civilians were not being targeted but said he was aware of Taliban claims over civilians killed at a mosque, among others.
"There's no independent verification of these claims. We are investigating this. We regret the death of civilians, including the four UN workers on Monday."
Mr Hoon said the allies had been supported by Islamic countries' condemnation of the terror attacks against America.
"Yesterday's statement by the Organisation of Islam Conference in Qatar expressed this revulsion very clearly. This demonstrates the key point - that this is not a battle between the West and Islam, but one between terror and justice."
Afterburners leave streaks of light during catapult launches from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise as Navy fighter aircraft depart for strike missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, October 7, 2001. (Todd Bent/US Navy via Reuters)
Our air crews are attacking remote hostiles, and THEN landing on a carrier in the dark.
God bless 'em.
Why abandon a sound idea?
Although Americans are usually accused of not having much "staying power", I predict it will be our friends in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that will blink first in this face-off.
Their a** is grass.
Plus it will give you plenty of time to spam FR with your ADS :-)
Every time Achmed sticks his head out of a cave, THAT is a new target..
I suspect that this statement was meant to demoralize the Taliban. Although I could imagine them continuing bombing ad infinitum, like we are doing in Iraq. Small scale stuff.
I wonder if the also deserted their "Death to all American dogs" also? These reptiles would cut your wives throats in a second. Got a problem here!
The actual duration of bombing is classified and I doubt very much if a US/Brit commander would go public with this information.
It keeps the rats in their holes and wears on them psychologically. Nothing quite like knowing that U.S. planes are out there looking for targets of opportunity to discourage you from showing your face. Eventually, if the Taliban is going to try to stay in power, they have to come out of their hiding places and do something. Then, wham, we are there bombing them again.
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