US Marines assault Taliban town in Afghanistan

[laststeamtrain]

Source: AP

US Marines assault Taliban town in Afghanistan

By ALFRED de MONTESQUIOU (AP) – 1 hour ago

DAHANEH, Afghanistan — U.S. Marines have mounted a helicopter assault to seize the Taliban-held town of Dahaneh in southern Afghanistan and are fighting gain control of the area ahead of next week's presidential elections.

The assault began before dawn Wednesday, with Marines entering the town as others battled militants in the surrounding mountains.

Associated Press journalists traveling with the first wave say Marines were met with small arms, mortar and rocket propelled grenade fire. Fighting is still under way hours later, with U.S. Marine Harrier jets streaking over the town and dropping flares in a show of force.

Marines have captured several suspects and seized about 66 pounds (30 kilos) of opium.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9A13P580

[proteus_lives]

1. Stay safe Marines.

:patriot:

[laststeamtrain]

2. UPDATE: Marines assault Taliban town in Afghanistan (AP)

Marines assault Taliban town in Afghanistan

By ALFRED de MONTESQUIOU (AP) – 11 minutes ago

DAHANEH, Afghanistan — Helicopter-borne U.S. Marines backed by Harrier jets stormed a Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan before dawn Wednesday, the launch of a new operation to uproot Taliban fighters from a longtime base and provide security for next week's presidential election.

The troops exchanged heavy fire with insurgents, killing at least seven. Associated Press journalists traveling with the first wave said militants fired small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades after helicopters dropped the troops over Taliban lines. Fighting lasted more than eight hours, as Harrier jets streaked overhead and dropped flares in a show of force.

The Taliban put up such fierce resistance that Marines said they suspected the militants knew the assault was coming.

Other Marines met heavy resistance as they fought to seize control of the mountains surrounding Dahaneh in the southern province of Helmand. Another convoy of Marines rolled into the town despite roadside bomb attacks and gunfire.

It was the first time NATO troops had entered Dahaneh, which has been under Taliban control for years.

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9A1B9RO0

[bemildred]

4. "... Marines said they suspected the militants knew the assault was coming." nt

[subcomhd]

3. Good Luck and God's speed.

Muerte al Taliban!

I pray for our Marines and the civilians in the way. But fuck the bastards who throw acid in the faces of school girls.

[laststeamtrain]

5. Never ever fuck a bastard when he's throwing acid in the face of a school girl.

Unless you're on acid & Erik Prince orders you to do so.

Why don't we sing this song all together
Open our heads let the pictures come...