Petraeus: More winter combat in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Petraeus: More winter combat in Afghanistan
By David Stringer - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Sep 29, 2008 18:20:37 EDT

LONDON — Gen. David Petraeus warned Monday that combat in Afghanistan could intensify in the coming months as the United States and NATO allies aggressively take on Taliban fighters attempting to hide and gather strength in the rugged terrain over winter.

After talks in London with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Petraeus said more troops are needed in Afghanistan, where a rising number of extremist attacks has made this the most violent year since the U.S.-led invasion that ousted the Taliban regime.

“I think we will see a continuation of fighting through the winter season, perhaps a bit more than we have seen in the past,” he said.

U.S. commanders are expecting to do more fighting this winter because officials discovered, after the fact, that the Taliban last winter managed to find safe haven inside Afghanistan. It put them in a better than anticipated position to carry out attacks in the spring. This time, the U.S. wants to be more aggressive in ferreting out the Taliban before the militants have a chance to regroup.

The remarks come only days after Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon could send more combat troops to Afghanistan starting in the spring — even though he cautioned against a military buildup in a country that has often repelled outside invaders.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_petraeus_092908/%2e