Attack on America

U.S. mulls creating Afghanistan base, report shows

Posted: 4:03 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 29

Reuters

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is considering soon establishing a forward base inside Afghanistan to support the operation of hundreds of American commandos, USA Today reported on Monday.

Quoting a senior defense source with knowledge of military operations, the newspaper said this base would be manned by up to 600 soldiers, providing security, food, medical care and evacuation support for 200 to 300 commandos.

The source suggested the base would be set up in northern Afghanistan to boost the North Alliance, a rebel force seeking to overthrow the nation's ruling Taliban, in its efforts to capture the strategic town of Mazar-i-Sharif, USA Today reported.

The newspaper said the base could be employed to launch helicopter strikes against Taliban forces, as well as summon Navy fighter jets and AC-130 gunships.

The United States is in its fourth week of a military campaign against the Taliban and a network operated by Afghan-based Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 aerial attacks on New York and Washington.

Apart from one confirmed special forces raid, the campaign has depended on bombing from the air. Military analysts believe U.S. soldiers inside Afghanistan will be needed to help root out bin Laden and members of his network.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001