December 8, 2001	Saturday	Ramazan 22, 1422

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WASHINGTON, Dec 7: US Marines clashed with armed Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters leaving Kandahar on Friday, engaging them with fire from the ground and helicopter gunships, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan said.

“We are blocking in some cases from the air, we are blocking in some cases with direct fire from the ground, and, yes, Taliban forces have been engaged as they have moved out of the city of Kandahar,” said Gen Tommy Franks.

Franks said a large number of Taliban fighters had surrendered in Kandahar but others had left the city with their weapons, triggering fights with Marines who engaged them with gunships and ground systems.—AFP