Gates Rallies US Troops in Afghan South
VOA News 09 March 2010
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has met with members of a U.S. battle unit in southern Afghanistan that suffered heavy losses last year in the fight against the Taliban.
He told the troops they will soon be part of a "decisive phase" in the war as U.S. forces prepare for a campaign to take control of Kandahar, the largest city in the Taliban's southern stronghold.
Gates paid tribute to the sacrifices of the U.S. combat brigade Tuesday as he spoke to soldiers at an outpost about 50 kilometers north of Kandahar city. The brigade has lost 22 soldiers and has seen 62 others wounded since its deployment last year.
Secretary Gates told the troops they will be at the "tip of the spear" when the U.S. military launches an expected offensive against the Taliban in Kandahar province later this year.
He also met with U.S. and British generals overseeing a current operation against Taliban militants in neighboring Helmand province.
Speaking in the capital, Kabul, Monday, Gates said he is encouraged by the progress of the Marjah offensive, but warned that "very hard fighting" remains ahead for NATO troops.
NATO and Afghan forces have been trying to clear insurgents from the city of Marjah in Helmand province since last month to allow Afghan authorities to take control of the area.
Meanwhile, Afghan authorities in Kabul have banned dark, tinted windows in vehicles.
The Interior Ministry says the ban, which starts Thursday, is aimed at making it easier to see what is inside vehicles. An Interior Ministry spokesman says there will be no exceptions for diplomatic or official vehicles.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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