Us military predicts heavy fighting around Afghan city of Kandahar through the fall

US military sees heavier fighting in fall

WASHINGTON — U.S. military leaders say they expect heavy fighting around the key Afghan city of Kandahar through this fall, leaving little time to show big results there this year.

One senior military official in Washington says to expect some tough fighting north and west of Kandahar once the holy period of Ramadan is over. The official says special operations forces that focus on killing or capturing Taliban fighters will have a big role.

The official briefed reporters and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss coming operations. The U.S. had hoped for clearer signs of success in Kandahar before a review of the war planned for the end of the year.