Karzai threatens to join Taliban

Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened to quit politics and join the Taliban.

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Iran trains Taliban to use IEDs

Hundreds of Taliban insurgents receive ambush, IED training from Iran.

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More evidence of Taliban using human shields

Afghan general sees Taliban placing women and children on rooftops and firing from behind them. Marines see Taliban firing from mosques, taking refuge in houses.

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Taliban increasingly using civilians as human shields in Marjah

Taliban firing at troops from areas surrounded by women and children in efforts to induce civilian casualties. In some instances it appears that the population is supporting the Taliban.

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Note: This AP article appears to have been edited to remove human shield references. From the UK version:

“Journalists embedded with the Marines have seen such cases: a neighborhood is alive with children, then the next minute the streets are empty and gunshots ring out. As the troops advance, children reappear, peering and grinning through half-closed doors.

Rocket-propelled grenades have been fired from behind groups of civilians, who scamper away as the Marines point their weapons toward the source of fire. Marines have come under fire in poppy fields as they are being tended by farmers.” (Source)

Taliban commander killed in offensive

Australian special forces kill Taliban commander involved in recruiting suicide bombers and foreign fighters.

Source: Reuters

Another U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan

The U.S. is sending an additional 20,000 troops into Afghanistan in 2009. The first of 5 divisions will arrive in January. Canada still plans to end their military mission in 2011.

Source: Canada.com

Marine Corps "embarass" Taliban

Taliban ambushes U.S. Marines with ten-to-one odds. Marines kill around 50 without taking any serious casualties. Sniper ignores intense incoming fire, killing around 20 fighters.

Source: Military.com

Taliban urge world to block Afghan executions

Taliban urges the UN to call on the Afghan government to stop executions.

Source: Reuters

Special ops rescue American hostage in Afghanistan

An American engineer held hostage by Islamic militants in Afghanistan was freed in a daring nighttime raid by a Special Operations team last month.

Source: Navy Times

French Troops Retreat from Taliban

300 French troops attacked by 100 Taliban. French forces retreat, abandoning anti-tank missiles and launcher.

Source: Daily Times (Pakistan)