It’s been nearly a month since, the U.S armed forces launched a massive offensive against Taliban and Al-Qaeda factions in Afghanistan and the forces are already feeling the heat and the intensity of the battle. The overall contingent, that is mainly comprised of over 4,000 U.S Marine soldiers has been conducting operations in Afghanistan to root out and destroy Taliban factions and leadership.

Now, according to some of the soldiers who are involved in these operations, the Taliban fighters are proving to highly coordinated and far pose a great deal of tenacity than the insurgents who fought against the coalition forces in Iraq.

According to Sgt. Tambunga of Company ‘C’, First Battalion, 5th Marines,

“They are two totally different worlds. In Iraq, they’d hit you and run. But these guys stick around and maneuver on you.”

The Taliban fighters have grown quite accustomed to the U.S forces’ fighting style and have developed and a heightened sense of self-preservation, instead of the rouge, suicide squads that used to ambush soldiers and convoys, in small numbers. Many soldiers believe that, Taliban’s decision to hide and wait out the offensive, is a clear signal that, the days ahead will see intense and gruesome clashes as U.S forces try to drive out Taliban fighters from their safe havens, villages and mountains.

According to Sgt. Brandon Tritle ‘C’ Company, 5th Marines,

“It was straight luck that we didn’t have a lot more guys hit. One force will put enough fire down so you have to keep your heads down, then another force will maneuver around to your side to try to kill you. That’s the same thing we do.”

Via New York Times.