Those battling the United States from caves represent only a small portion of Taliban forces in the region and a tiny portion of their forces nationwide. Furthermore, by their resistance to death, these fighters fulfill a diversion mission that benefits other Taliban forces -- fighters who have never holed up in the caves but are on the loose seeking opportunities for new ambushes. This is a classic guerrilla tactic: Dozens of militants draw the attention of U.S. units while guerrilla groups in the rear of the attackers stage hit-and-run operations. The United States was able to destroy one hit-and-run force, numbering about 50 people, with air strikes before fighters dispersed into smaller groups, but other guerrilla units remain active.
It is worth noting that Taliban forces have slipped away from known positions before, outwitting allied forces. This occurred in November, when Taliban fighters abandoned Afghanistan's cities with almost no losses only to regroup in the countryside and prepare for future battles. These weathered warriors are too skillful to simply lie still and wait for U.S. air power to destroy their main forces.
In the end, as diversionary forces draw fire in the caves, much of the main guerrilla force will escape through mountain paths known only to locals. There is no way for even several thousand U.S. and allied troops to block all the routes in this rugged, snow-covered terrain. Again, recent history provides a lesson: Coalition forces claimed late last year that hundreds of enemies were killed during the bombing of Tora Bora, but when the fighting was over, fewer than 10 prisoners were taken and few corpses were found.
It is worth noting that Taliban forces have slipped away from known positions before, outwitting allied forces. This occurred in November, when Taliban fighters abandoned Afghanistan's cities with almost no losses only to regroup in the countryside and prepare for future battles. These weathered warriors are too skillful to simply lie still and wait for U.S. air power to destroy their main forces.
In the end, as diversionary forces draw fire in the caves, much of the main guerrilla force will escape through mountain paths known only to locals. There is no way for even several thousand U.S. and allied troops to block all the routes in this rugged, snow-covered terrain. Again, recent history provides a lesson: Coalition forces claimed late last year that hundreds of enemies were killed during the bombing of Tora Bora, but when the fighting was over, fewer than 10 prisoners were taken and few corpses were found.