Asia home page | Asia Breaking News

Visit our special sections for latest developments and analysis:

Afghan troops join Operation Anaconda

The first of about one thousand Afghan troops have joined Operation Anaconda in eastern Afghanistan, amid fears the campaign will last longer than expected.

South Asia correspondent Jonathan Harley reports.

Armed with automatic weapons and rocket launchers but some of them so poorly clothed they have only sandshoes or traditional slippers on their feet the Afghan reinforcements, are arriving in the eastern Province of Paktia. As they do, officials acknowledge the U-S led operation to rid the rugged Arma mountains of the well armed and determined Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters will drag on much longer than expected. American commanders say they've cut off enemy lines of control but heavy snow on the mountains will slow down U.S.-led forces as they try to destroy the cave complexes in the area, and could provide cover for enemy fighters to flee.

09/03/2002 14:11:36 | ABC Radio Australia News

More Asia Breaking News 21/03/2002 12:02:46 Workers' unrest in China's North-east 21/03/2002 12:02:47 Coalition troops in Afghanistan expect more attacks 21/03/2002 12:02:44 Hun Sen says UN has three months to negotiate on Khmer Rouge 21/03/2002 12:02:45 Hanoi says 27 more Montagnards back from Cambodia 21/03/2002 12:02:50 Malaysia's police continue crackdown on Islamic militants 21/03/2002 12:02:51 Cambodian PM dismisses claim of a royal involvement with rebels

Back

Related Stories

09/03/2002 08:56:52
Afghan troops arrive in Paktia Province to reinforce US operations

09/03/2002 00:20:40
Afghan mountain battle continues

08/03/2002 17:48:31
Anesty critical of Australian plans to repatriate refugees

08/03/2002 12:55:30
Reinforcements being sent to eastern Afghanistan

Related Sites

World News from Radio Australia
News across Asia, the Pacific and beyond.