KABUL, Afghanistan — Hundreds of Taliban fighters fled in trucks and motorbikes Monday as Afghan and international troops fought their way into a town controlled by the hard-line Islamic movement.
Afghan officers reported some militants, possibly al-Qaeda, were still resisting in the center of Musa Qala, and said the attacking force controlled the southern town but was moving slowly toward the center.
A Taliban spokesman confirmed the insurgents retreated from Musa Qala, which the militants had held since February, and Afghanistan’s president said the successful attack was aided by some local Taliban leaders switching allegiance to his government.
Visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown predicted developments in Musa Qala would have positive long-term results, and the success boosted hopes the Afghan government can expand into a key opium producing area where it now wields little influence.
The Associated Press
