USA Sets Up New Military Base In Southern Afghanistan

The lift of US Marines elements to the aerodrome of Kandagar situated 15 kilometres south-east of the city to set up a new American military base began in the morning on Friday, the Qatari Al-Jazeera TV company reported. The Marines whose number is not known are transported by helicopters from Jelalabad. The first base which has been named Reno was set up 65 kilometres north-east of Kandagar at an abandoned runway. On Thursday, American helicopters also started participating in the operation of Pashtun tribes in the Tora Bora area. It was earlier reported that about 60 British and 40 American commandos, wearing Pashtun clothes, are operating there. By the estimate of Pashtun field commanders, about 700 militants of the Al-Qaeda organisation are hiding in the Tora Bora (40 kilometres south of Jelalabad) and Melawa (30 kilometres south of it) areas.