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KABUL, Afghanistan - Eight Taliban insurgents walked up to the gates of a forward operating base in Puza-i-Eshan Saturday to turn themselves in to Afghan national security forces.
The departure from the Taliban came in the midst of Operation Taohid II, an Afghan-led operation in the north designed to defeat the insurgency, provide humanitarian supplies to the people and enable development projects in the area.
Gen. Murad Ali Murad, Afghan national army 209th Corps commander held a shura with the Taliban members to negotiate the terms of their reintegration. Brig. Gen. Frank Leidenberger, Regional Command-North commander also attended.
"This is your country, when you fight against us here you fight against your own country," Murad said. "An hour ago, you were part of the black name of the Taliban, but now we welcome you back as our brothers."
Operation Taohid II is the largest operation the ANSF have led in the north. About 1,000 combat-ready Afghan national army troops are taking part in the operation, supported by ISAF troops from Germany, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Croatia and Belgium.
One indicator of the operation's success was the securing of the Kuk Chenar (Dutch) Bridge and the return of large groups of civilians who had been frightened away by insurgents.
Civilian freedom of movement is now being further improved as work continues around the bridge's base along the river. A large number of trucks have been removing loads of the river's sludge to aid the flow of the river. Guard posts have been stationed on either end of the bridge to provide safe passage for residents.
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2010 04:50 |
| Story ID: | 48695 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 985 |
| Downloads: | 949 |
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