Afghan Taliban launch attack on NATO base 23 may

[shining eyes]

The Taliban claimed responsibility Sunday for a nighttime assault on NATO's biggest base in southern Afghanistan. Insurgents firing rockets, mortars and automatic weapons tried to storm Kandahar Air Field — the second such attack on a major military installation this week.

Several coalition troops and civilian employees were wounded in the assault Saturday night, but there were no reports of deaths, officials said.

A Canadian Press news agency report from Kandahar said artillery and machine gun fire reverberated through the base, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) southwest of Kabul, several hours after the attack began. Militants unleashed rockets and mortars about 8 p.m. (15:30 GMT) and then tried unsuccessfully to storm the northern perimeter, officials said.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi told the Associated Press that its fighters attacked the base from two sides and fired more than 15 rockets.

It was the third major attack on NATO forces in Afghanistan in six days.

The attacks follow a Taliban announcement of a spring offensive against NATO forces and Afghan government troops — their response to a promise by the Obama administration to squeeze the Taliban out of their strongholds in the southern province of Kandahar.

On Tuesday, a Taliban suicide bomber attacked a NATO convoy in the capital, killing 18 people including six NATO service members including five Americans and a Canadian. The next day, dozens of Taliban militants attacked the main U.S. military base — Bagram Air Field — killing an American contractor in fighting that lasted more than eight hours.

On Saturday night, at least five rockets struck the Kandahar base in the initial attack, said Navy Cmdr. Amanda Peterseim, a spokeswoman for NATO forces at the base. Witnesses said explosions continued through much of the night. There were no reports of deaths and Peterseim did not have the precise number

 

[pakfighter]

taliban is going stronger and stronger day by day in Afghanistan, and this is really a bad news for NATO what do u thnk guys they start new opertaion like few month ago they do?

regards
pakfighter

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Taliban attack Nato's biggest base in Afghanistan

Taliban fighters launched an audacious assault on the biggest Nato base in Afghanistan in the third attack on coalition forces in under a week.

By Ben Farmer in Gereshk
Published: 7:50PM BST 23 May 2010

The frontal attack on Kandahar airfield forced William Hague, the new Foreign Secretary, and Liam Fox, the new Defence Secretary to cancel a scheduled trip to meet British troops on the base during their first tour of Afghanistan since taking office.

Rebels rained rockets onto the airfield and then attempted to storm the perimeter fences before being forced back by fire from watchtowers.

Fighting in southern Afghanistan is again expected to escalate this summer as American troops continue to pour into the country for Barack Obama's surge strategy.

The Taliban movement earlier this month launched its own Al-Faath, or victory, spring offensive aimed at Nato-led forces, the Afghan government and their allies.

The Kandahar attack followed a similar attempt to storm Bagram air base north of Kabul and a deadly suicide car bombing in the capital.

Five rockets hit the sprawling base 300 miles southwest of the capital at around 8pm (4.30pm BST) on Saturday evening.

Several members of the Nato-led force and civilian contractors were wounded, but none killed. A spokesman would not say how many insurgents took part or how many died. Soldiers on the base were kept in bunkers for several hours following the attack.

"No insurgents have penetrated the base perimeter," he said.

The airfield has become the main launch pad for General Stanley McChrystal's push into Taliban stronghold's in southern Afghanistan and now houses more than 20,000 personnel.

A Taliban spokesman, who gave his name as Qari Yousef Ahmadi, said fighters had attacked from two sides and fired 15 rockets.

Rebels regularly rocket the airfield, but the battle was the first frontal attack in recent years.

Mr Hague and Dr Fox had been due to visit Kandahar after a day of talks with political and military leaders in Kabul, but were forced to avoid the area.

Mr Fox told British troops in Helmand the government would ensure they had everything needed to do the job and would honour an election pledge to double the frontline operational allowance.

Taliban attack Nato's biggest base in Afghanistan - Telegraph

 

[graphican]

Now that is what you call Slap after Slap after Slap.. Reminds me of some old 90s Indian Movie *Bhishma* *Bhishmmmm* *Bhisssma* *EaaaBhishmmma*

Afghans are showing Americans some "good" hospitality.. Good yar.. keep the hot side up!

 

[Vassnti]

More frontal assaults fewer taliban.


Sadly the chance of 20 men even getting close to the perimeter was nil the taliban threw the lives of 20 men away to make a political statement. I wonder how long till people wake up that they are being offered the chance for "glory" making suicidal charges at prepared defences while the person sending them is alreay 5 miles down the road and dissapering fast.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack, saying 20 suicide bombers took part in the assault, which included rockets, small arms and grenades, Nato's International Security Assistance Force, or Isaf, said.

Al Jazeera English - CENTRAL/S. ASIA - Afghan Nato base comes under attack

 

[Parashuram1]

I would like to know who is continuously supplying weapons to these barbarians. No war today whether direct or asymmetric can be sustained without resources.. Taliban is wasting away young men's lives that could otherwise contribute to the development of the region by becoming doctors, scientists, engineers etc.

However, there is someone definitely who's supplying these people with free weapons. Honestly, they cannot be owning iron mines for making all those weapons on their own. These weapons are made by weapons engineers who have formal training in the field. This means someone is constantly supplying the weapons. Who is it... would be interesting to know.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

I would like to know who is continuously supplying weapons to these barbarians. No war today whether direct or asymmetric can be sustained without resources.. Taliban is wasting away young men's lives that could otherwise contribute to the development of the region by becoming doctors, scientists, engineers etc.

However, there is someone definitely who's supplying these people with free weapons. Honestly, they cannot be owning iron mines for making all those weapons on their own. These weapons are made by weapons engineers who have formal training in the field. This means someone is constantly supplying the weapons. Who is it... would be interesting to know.

Competitors of US, Iranian Intell AKA KGB and courtesy to the druglords who trade Opium and Heroin right under the nose of Nato and pay considerable security money to Taliban for not attacking there caravans loaded with that heroin which has huge demand both in Europe and North America

 

[FreekiN]

Did they win? No.

It seems like some of you guys are celebrating.

God knows where they get their recruits from. Seems like their population never finishes.

 

[Ahmad]

Now that is what you call Slap after Slap after Slap.. Reminds me of some old 90s Indian Movie *Bhishma* *Bhishmmmm* *Bhisssma* *EaaaBhishmmma*

Afghans are showing Americans some "good" hospitality.. Good yar.. keep the hot side up!

This is not the Afghans, they are the terrrorists who are making the lives of ordinary people as hell. Dont forget that you got them in Pakistan too. It seems that this news made your day. I wonder if you say the same if attacks deaths happen in Pakistan?