U.S. says Taliban strength is growing
Fighting in rugged southern Afghan mountains killed at least 24 militants and five Afghan forces, while the U.S. military acknowledged Wednesday that the Taliban have grown in “strength and influence” in recent weeks. The violence came after a week of some of the deadliest violence since the Taliban regime’s ouster in 2001. As many as 336 people have died, mostly militants, according to Afghan and coalition figures. Full Story