Under Fire, The Fight Heats Up In Afghanistan

We are watches this Under Fire, The Fight Heats Up In Afghanistan

NPR photographer David Gilkey has embedded with the 101st Airborne Division outside of Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan. The mission for American soldiers in this region is to cooperate with the Afghan national army to secure the area — pushing out the Taliban and empowering locals to protect themselves. But that's easier said than done. Gilkey phoned in to discuss the situation on Morning Edition.




On a recent patrol, the 101st came under heavy fire and engaged in a 4-hour battle with Taliban insurgents. There were no casualties, but exhaustion has settled in. Army officials have said that the key to winning the war is winning the trust of locals. But until American forces can rid the region of the Taliban — which would allow the military to move freely and alleviate fear among Afghan civilians — face time with those locals will remain limited

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