Insurgents launch ground assault against NATO’s main base in southern Afghanistan
By APSaturday, May 22, 2010
Insurgents attack NATO’s southern Afghan base
KABUL, Afghanistan — NATO says insurgents are attacking its main military base in southern Afghanistan.
A NATO forces spokeswoman, Master Sgt. Sabrina Foster, says rockets started hitting Kandahar Air Field about 8 p.m. local time (15:30 GMT), followed quickly by a ground assault. She said the attack was ongoing and she did not have more details.
People on the base reached by telephone said they heard both rockets and gunfire. According to a loudspeaker announcement, the ground attack was coming from the north side of the base.
Kandahar Air Field just outside Kandahar city is the launching pad for thousands of additional U.S. forces pouring into the country for a summer surge against the Taliban.
