Joint Forces Target Foreign Fighters in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 11, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces detained eight suspected militants, including two wanted men, during operations in Afghanistan's Khost and Kandahar provinces Jan. 9, U.S. military officials in Afghanistan reported. Afghan National Police and coalition forces detained three militants in the first operation, including a wanted Haqqani militant. In Sabari district, about 140 miles southeast of Kabul City, the combined force targeted the Haqqani foreign fighter network netting a militant known to coordinate and facilitate the movement of Arab fighters into the region. The militant also is believed to be in contact with senior Haqqani leaders, planning attacks against Afghan civilians and coalition forces, officials said.

The combined force searched the building without incident.

In Kandahar City, coalition forces detained five suspected militants, including a targeted Taliban financier, during an operation to disrupt the organization's ability to fund terrorist activities. Believed to aid the militant organization through funding and other support, the financier is assessed to have direct ties to numerous Taliban commanders in the region.

"These intelligence-driven missions with combined Afghan and coalition forces are excellent examples of the cooperation needed to defeat Afghanistan's enemies," said Zemarai Bashary, an Afghanistan Ministry of Interior spokesperson.

(From a U.S. Forces Afghanistan news release.)