- Title: AFGHANISTAN: French capture Afghan valley where 10 troops were killed
- Date: 11th April 2009
- Summary: KABUL PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN (APRIL 8, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FRENCH SOLDIERS FROM THE FIRST INFANTRY REGIMENT PATROLLING IN UZBIN VALLEY UNMANNED PLANE FLYING OVER PATROL FRENCH SOLDIER LOOKING THROUGH BINOCULARS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH OFFICER NICOLAS SAYING: "The platoon's mission is to carry out a reconnaissance patrol in the zone, a little beyond where are forces are placed. This area is more or less secured. We are making contact with the population to see how the land lies close up." VARIOUS OF FRENCH SOLDIER PATROLLING FRENCH SOLDIER LOOKING THROUGH BINOCULARS PEOPLE LOOKING AT FRENCH PATROL FROM A MOUNTAIN RIDGE VARIOUS OF FRENCH SOLDIER PATROLLING (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH OFFICER NICOLAS SAYING: "These are our indicators, the more women and children there are, the fewer the risks and there are women and children here. So it is pretty well risk-free. It is very rare that they attack where there are a certain number of women and children." VILLAGERS LOOKING AT FRENCH PATROL.
- Embargoed: 26th April 2009 16:14
- Keywords:
- Location: Afghanistan
- Country: Afghanistan
- Topics: Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA3RM6MEYU6ADA343ODDK1FODJS
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: French, Afghan and U.S. troops capture a valley where 10 French soldiers were killed last year in the single biggest combat loss for foreign troops in Afghanistan since 2001.
STORY. French soldiers started patrolling the Uzbin valley of Afghanistan on Thursday (April 9). The valley, recaptured by French, Afghan and U.S.
troops was where 10 French soldiers were killed last year in the single biggest combat loss for foreign troops in Afghanistan since 2001.
The 800-strong force marched into the valley, a stronghold of pro-Taliban insurgency leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, to set up a base for the Afghan National Army. U.S. planes thundered overhead, providing air support for a mission that hopes to curb the flow of foreign fighters towards the capital, Kabul, by cutting off a key mountain pass.
"The platoon's mission is to carry out a reconnaissance patrol in the zone, a little beyond where are forces are placed. This area is more or less secured. We are making contact with the population to see how the land lies close up," said Nicolas, the platoon leader.
The Uzbin valley is an important transit point for insurgents travelling from Pakistan to the Kapisa valley, east of the main U.S. base at Bagram, according to military sources who declined to be named.
Violence in Afghanistan has reached its highest level since the U.S.
and Afghan-led overthrow of the Taliban government in 2001, despite a growing number of foreign troops, and has spread from the south and east to the outskirts of the capital.
Hekmatyar claimed responsibility for last year's attack on French forces from the 8th Parachute regiment in the pass, and the valley had been hostile ground for coalition forces for several months. Nicolas said the danger of attack was lowest where women and children were present.
"These are our indicators, the more women and children there are, the fewer the risks and there are women and children here. So it is pretty well risk-free. It is very rare that they attack where there are a certain number of women and children," he said.
Soldiers immediately started patrolling villages in the area of the base, which will be permanently occupied by 280 Soldiers of the Afghan National Army and have space for a company of French troops if needed. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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