Taliban rebels struck today in southern Afghanistan causing fierce fighting to break out in that part of the country. At least 105 people were reported dead including an American civilian, a female Canadian soldier and up to 87 Taliban fighters. 14 Afghan police were also reported killed.
The fighting began Wednesday in and around the southern Afghan village of Musa Qala in Helmand province. Hundreds of Taliban fighters stormed the village and fighting continued between U.S.-backed Afghan government forces and their allies and the Taliban for at least eight hours. The Afghan Interior Ministry said at least 40 insurgents were killed although thus far, the bodies of only 14 Taliban fighters were recovered. At least 12 Afghan police were killed in the fighting as well.
Two suicide car bombs were also detonated by Taliban forces over the past 24 hours as part of this coordinated attack.
The female Canadian soldier was the first Canadian woman to die in combat since World War II. The fighting involving Canadian troops centered in Kandahar province.
The fact that hundreds of Taliban fighters were part of this action made it the largest by the insurgents since 2001 and marked a new level of opposition to the government of President Hamid Karzai.
