U.S. troops to disrupt Taliban

HOUTHEM-SINT GERLACH, Netherlands — New American troops pouring into southern Afghanistan will allow NATO-led forces to drive deeper into the heart of the Taliban insurgency, the Dutch general commanding allied forces in the region told reporters Wednesday.

President Barack Obama has ordered 21,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan and some 10,000 already have been deployed. They aim to pacify the vast region and train local forces so the Afghan government can take control and eventually allow foreign soldiers to return home.

Maj. Gen. Mart de Kruif said the extra troops would strengthen efforts to disrupt the insurgents and combat roadside bombs.

The allied forces have been fighting the Taliban for eight years. The NATO-led force in is expected to number some 45,000 troops by the time of Afghan elections on Aug. 20, De Kruif said.

The Dutch general later briefed defense ministers from seven of the eight nations with forces in southern Afghanistan — the U.S., Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Romania and Estonia. Britain’s new defense secretary, Bob Ainsworth, was joining the talks today.



by the associated press