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Air Mobile Assault into Taliban held town by US Marines

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | August 12, 2009 at 04:06 am

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U.S. Marines moved into Dahaneh and the surrounding mountains by helicopter. The Marines were supported by Harrier aircraft. The assault is to support next weeks Afghanistan election.

This is the first time NATO forces have moved into Dahaneh, which has been a Taliban stronghold to this point.

Reporters on the ground said that the Marines were met by small arms, mortars and rocket propelled grenade fire. The fighting was fierce and still under way. U.S. Harrier jets were flying overhead in a show of force.

Other Marines were met with strong resistance as they tried to seize control of the surrounding mountains.

At this stage of the battle, there have been no casualty figures released. Since my last report on DoD casualties as of Friday 10am, at least 11 more U.S. KIA have been reported on the DoD website. This will likely increase with this action.

Helicopter-borne U.S. marines backed by Harrier jets stormed into a strategic Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan before dawn Wednesday, battling to gain control of the area ahead of next week's presidential elections.

Associated Press journalists travelling with the first wave said marines were met with small arms, mortar and rocket propelled grenade fire as they flew in helicopters over Taliban lines and dropped into the town. Fighting was still underway hours later, with U.S. marine Harrier jets streaking overhead and dropping flares in a show of force.

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. Casualty figures were unavailable due to security restrictions.