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The War Rages on in Afghanistan

Americans got a stern reminder last week that our country is still at war. Eight U.S. soldiers were killed and at least 40 wounded in Afghanistan. Fierce fighting raged all week long against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in the mountainous east.

Stanley Harriman of Wade, North Carolina, was among the fallen soldiers. "Stanley died for your freedom," his wife, Sheila, told reporters last week.

The battle, which the army is calling Operation Anaconda, began on March 1 and continued through the week. U.S. planes dropped some 500 bombs and missiles over five days. Up to 17 armed helicopters were also involved. About 1,200 U.S. troops are supported by Afghan and allied forces. They are up against an estimated 800 enemy forces. Operation Anaconda is the largest ground battle of the five-month-long war.

General Tommy Franks, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, described the fighting as "very messy and dangerous."

The ferocity of the struggle has led some to think that Osama bin Laden may be hiding in the area. Said Franks: "[It's] difficult to say whether they are fighting for themselves or to protect someone."

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