KABUL — The top commander of U.S. and NATO forces said Saturday that although some al-Qaeda fighters have been searching for hide-outs in rugged areas of eastern Afghanistan, he does not think they are making a comeback inside the country.
“There is no question that al-Qaeda has had a presence in Afghanistan and continues to have a presence — generally assessed at less than 100 or so,” Gen. David Petraeus said at coalition headquarters.
But he added: “There certainly has been some exploration for potential safe havens or sanctuaries in very mountainous areas of Nuristan and parts of Kunar provinces. Our intention, with our Afghan partners, is to maintain pressure on those who are seeking to establish safe havens.”
Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that during the past six to eight months, al-Qaeda fighters have been setting up training camps, hide-outs and bases along Afghanistan’s northeastern border with Pakistan. The Associated Press
