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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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NATO & Afghan Forces Rout Taliban

Taliban leaves stronghold as UK Prime Minister arrives

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(Newser) – Taliban troops retreated from their last major stronghold in the southern town of Musa Qala in Afghanistan yesterday, ceding control to NATO and Afghan troops, the New York Times reports. After heavy bombardment and a troop attack, the Taliban was overcome by "heavy casualties," said a local police chief. "The Taliban are gone."

News of the victory welcomed Gordon Brown as he arrived in Afghanistan for a surprise visit with President Hamid Karzai and was a relief to British forces who abandoned the town a year ago and were eager to regain it. A Taliban spokesman insisted the retreat was tactical. "It doesn't mean we will stop fighting," he said.

Map locates Musa Qala, Afghanistan which was retaken by Afghan and international forces; 1c x 2 7/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 73 mm
Map locates Musa Qala, Afghanistan which was retaken by Afghan and international forces; 1c x 2 7/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 73 mm   (Associated Press)
An Afghan policeman at a check point on the outskirts of the troubled Musa Qala district of Helmand province south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Afghan and international forces retook a southern Afghan town Monday held by Taliban militants since February, though foreign fighters _ possibly members...
An Afghan policeman at a check point on the outskirts of the troubled Musa Qala district of Helmand province south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Afghan and international forces retook...   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown jokes with troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown Monday met British troops in Afghanistan as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala just 70 miles away. (AP Photo/Stefan Rousseau, Pool)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown jokes with troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown Monday met British troops in Afghanistan as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold...   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown meets troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown Monday met British troops in Afghanistan as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala just 70 miles away. (AP Photo/Peter Macdiarmid, Pool)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown meets troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown Monday met British troops in Afghanistan as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold...   (Associated Press)
In this handout photo taken 05 December 2007, Afghan National...
In this handout photo taken 05 December 2007, Afghan National...   (Getty Images)
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