Anti-Taliban push underway in Afghanistan: Australian military
SYDNEY (AFP) — The Australian military on Monday said it had launched a "major push" to clear out extremist Taliban fighters from their heartland in southern Afghanistan.
A series of operations would be carried out north of the soldiers' base near Tarin Kowt to clear out insurgents, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said.
"Australian soldiers have begun a major push into the Taliban heartland of Uruzgan province in southern Afghanistan with the intent of pushing out the Taliban, restoring vital infrastructure and creating a safe environment for the Afghan people," the ADF said in a statement.
The push would be spearheaded by engineers, infantry, cavalry and support troops, it said.
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Yeaman, commanding officer of the 4th Reconstruction Task Force, said the Australians had moved into the Baluchi region as part of joint operations with the Dutch.
"This is an area of huge tactical and strategic significance for the Taliban extremists," he said.
"This is the Taliban's back yard and we are right on their main supply route between (southwestern) Helmand province and their supply bases to the north.
"The aim of this series of operations is to clear out the Taliban, and then build the physical infrastructure -- patrol bases particularly -- which will allow the Afghan National Army and police, with support from the International Security Assistance Force, to dominate these areas."
Australia has around 1,000 troops in Afghanistan, mostly assisting a Dutch-led reconstruction operation in Uruzgan.
Last month, an Australian commando died in a gun battle in the former Taliban stronghold when the rebels attacked his patrol, prompting Premier Kevin Rudd to warn the conflict would likely become more intense in coming months.
He told a press conference at the time that "2008 will be difficult and dangerous and bloody, and the Australian nation needs to prepare itself for further losses in the year ahead."
He added: "We are facing a change of season, as the winter snows melt and the spring thaw begins, which usually indicates a heightening in military activity on the part of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda."
Five Australians have died in combat in Afghanistan since 2002 -- four in the past seven months.
