  GHAZNI, Afghanistan -- A group of 75 Taliban militants tried to overrun a U.S.-led coalition base in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, a rare frontal attack that left more than 20 militants dead, the coalition said in a statement.
"We will destroy the infidels with a frontal envelopment! They will be taken completely by surprise!"
"Brilliant, Commander Mahmoud! Brilliant!" |
The insurgents attacked Firebase Anaconda from three sides, using gunfire, grenades and 107 mm rockets, the coalition said. A joint Afghan-U.S. force repelled the attack with mortars, machine guns and air support.
 | "Cheeze, Cap''n! I can''t believe they''re that stoopid!" |
``Almost two dozen insurgents were confirmed killed in the attack," the statement said. Two girls and two Afghan soldiers were wounded during the fight in Uruzgan province, it said. A firebase like Anaconda is usually a remote outpost staffed by as few as several dozen soldiers. ``The inability of the insurgent forces to inflict any severe damage on Firebase Anaconda, while being simultaneously decimated in the process, should be a clear indication of the ineffectiveness of their fighters," said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a coalition spokeswoman.
"Commander Mahmoud! Why do the hated infidels call the approach to their firebase a 'kill zone'?"
"Aaaaaiiiieeee!"
"Commander Mahmoud? Commander?... Dang. That hadda hurt. Briefly." |
A direct attack on a U.S. or NATO base by insurgents on foot is relatively rare.
| There's a reason for that. It's relatively stoopid, too. |
 More often insurgents fire rockets at bases and run away flee. Military officials say that Taliban fighters know they can't match Western militaries in a heads-up battle, which leads the insurgents to more often rely on roadside and suicide bombs.
| On the other hand, the Pak Talibs have regular successes against the Pak army, which they confuse with real soldiers. |
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