Afghanistan

Thousands flee ahead of Nato-Taliban clash

Article published on the 2008-06-17 Latest update 2008-06-17 11:21 TU

A policeman at Kandahar prison after the prison break
(Photo: Reuters)

More than 4,000 people have fled villages near Kandahar in south Afghanistan, after Nato helicopters dropped leaflets on the area warning that they are about to launch an anti-Taliban offensive. About 500 Islamist guerrillas are reported to have taken over nine or ten villages, declaring that they are ready to fight for the death against troops that back President Hamid Karzai.

The Afghan army Tuesday flew four planeloads of troops to Kandahar from Kabul and Canadian forces have also moved into the region.

The Taliban have moved into Arghandab district, just north of the provincial capital, after the weekend's coordinated attack on Kandahar prison which freed 400 of their fighters and about 600 other prisoners.

Government officials say that thousands of Afghan troops will take part in the operation and Nato and Afghan soldiers are reported to have set up checkpoints to control vehicles and people leaving Arghandab.

"We've sealed off the area, the enemy can't leave," Afghan army General Aminullah Patyali told the French news agency, AFP.

After US and Nato appeals for more troops, the international force, Isaf, now has 65,000 troops in Afghanistan. After last week's international conference in Paris, France and Britain have promised to send more.