U.S. military commanders say the heaviest fighting in eastern Afghanistan has ended, but the operation known as Big Snake is not over. General Tommy Franks, commander of U.S. forces in the Afghanistan war, said on Sunday that the battle will continue until all Taliban and al-Qaeda members are captured or killed. A military spokesperson stated that American and Afghan soldiers will continue searching caves and finding remnants of the enemy. U.S. military officials also announced that 400 American soldiers who left the operational area on Sunday may be re-equipped and returned to fight in the region. According to these officials, at least 200 al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters are still hiding in the eastern mountains of Afghanistan.
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Operation Known as Big Snake is Not Over - 2002-03-11
Feb 13, 2026
February 13, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
U.S. military leaders report that the heaviest fighting in eastern Afghanistan has concluded, but operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces will persist. General Tommy Franks emphasized the commitment to capture or kill remaining enemy combatants. This situation is critical as it reflects ongoing U.S. military engagement in the region post-9/11.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
The U.S. remains engaged in Afghanistan, emphasizing its determination to eliminate remaining terrorist threats.
👥 Key Players
General Tommy Franks
MENTIONED
Commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan
"His leadership is crucial in shaping U.S. military strategy in the region, particularly in the fight against terrorism."
Taliban
MENTIONED
Militant group in Afghanistan
"They are a key adversary in the U.S. military operations, representing a significant threat to stability in Afghanistan and the broader region."
al-Qaeda
MENTIONED
Terrorist organization
"Their presence in Afghanistan poses a direct threat to U.S. national security and global counterterrorism efforts."
📰 What Happened
The U.S. military announced that while the heaviest fighting in eastern Afghanistan has concluded, operations against remaining Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters will continue. General Tommy Franks confirmed the commitment to capture or kill these enemy combatants.
- 400 American soldiers may return to the operational area after re-equipping.
- At least 200 enemy fighters are still believed to be hiding in eastern Afghanistan.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran may view U.S. military operations in Afghanistan as a threat to its regional influence and a potential precursor to U.S. actions against itself.
🌍 Regional: Continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan affects regional stability and influences neighboring countries' security policies.
🌐 International: The situation highlights the ongoing global fight against terrorism and the U.S.'s commitment to countering extremist groups.
📚 Background
Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. launched military operations in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power, leading to a prolonged military presence in the region.
U.S. War on Terror
Taliban resurgence
📡 Source:
NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence:
70%
The information comes from U.S. military officials, which may present a perspective aligned with U.S. government interests.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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