Taleban threatens major offensive in Afghanistan

Khaleej Times/AFP

Taleban militants vowed on Tuesday to intensify their insurgency with fresh attacks and suicide bombings, saying they would shortly take control of southern Afghanistan.

"During these operations which will begin today or tomorrow, we'll take most of the districts in southern and south-central Afghanistan," purported Taleban spokesman Mohammad Hanif told AFP.

The threat came as the Afghan government confirmed that the rebels had forced government forces out of at least one district in the troubled southern province of Helmand late Monday.

The new offensive would include “lots” of suicide bombings, roadside explosions and hit-and-run attacks on government and coalition targets, Hanif said.

"We will increase our attacks. We will carry out lots of suicide attacks, we will carry out bombings and we will engage the infidel troops in guerrilla battles," the spokesman said by telephone from an unknown location. Link