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Strikes Against the Taliban
October 8, 2001

The United States and its partners in the war against terrorism made their first strike against Afghanistan Sunday.

Explosions could be seen over three major cities as U.S. and British forces fired missiles at about 30 military sites, including some near the capital, Kabul.

Time to strike

Following the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush demanded that the ruling Taliban government of Afghanistan close down terrorist training camps and hand over Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect for the U.S. attacks. The Taliban offered to negotiate but refused a handover.

The targets in Afghanistan were chosen by military leaders to cripple Taliban military command centers, Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist network.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said the assault targeted terrorist training camps, military airfields, military aircraft, air defense radar and surface-to-air missile sites.

Missiles struck targets around the southern and northern districts of Kabul, but not the center of the city. Over one million people live in Kabul-- most are poor, hungry and devastated by more than 20 years of armed conflict.

During the raids, there was no sign of panic in Kabul, but the next morning, many said they wanted to flee. Aid workers have predicted a large numbers of Afghans would stream into Pakistan if the U.S. attacked but there was no evidence massive movements yet.

The Taliban claimed over 20 civilians in the Kabul area were killed by missiles, including women, children and elderly.

Reaction to the bombing

Soon after the attacks, President Bush addressed the nation. In his speech from the Treaty Room in the White House, he said, "the battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not waver, we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

He also said he did not expect instant success. "Initially, the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hiding places."

Bush said, "Our military action is also designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to justice."

In a videotape recorded before the assault, bin Laden appeared to have little sympathy for the grieving of Americans after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"What America is tasting now is something insignificant compared to what we have tasted for scores of years," he said.

Helping the people

The United States and other nations are quick to point out that these attacks are only against the Taliban and the terrorist networks within the country, not against the people of Afghanistan itself.

The country already receives more aid from the United States than from any other country, but after years of war within its borders, Afghan people still rarely have enough to eat.

As the U.S. bombs military targets, millions of dollars of food and medicine will be dropped from airplanes. On Sunday, U.S. cargo planes dropped more than 37,000 packages containing red beans, rice, fruit bars, peanut butter and strawberry jam. Each packet was marked with a note saying it was a gift from the people of America.

U.S. military officials were worried the Taliban might use anti-aircraft missiles to destroy these non-military planes, but the two planes returned to their base in Germany intact and with their mission accomplished.

New security efforts

Meanwhile, U.S. Senators said the new military action increases the likelihood of more terror in the United States.

Airports, sports stadiums, state capitols and office buildings have already increased security measures since Sept. 11 and the FBI urged law enforcement agencies nationwide be on their highest level of alert.

Even the entertainment industry was affected by the strikes. Hollywood canceled the Sunday night Emmy telecast for the first time ever.

In an effort to protect the U.S. from additional attacks, President Bush and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas swore in the head of the new Office of Homeland Security, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge at the White House on Monday.

A Homeland Security Council will tackle domestic terrorism much as the National Security Council advises the president on international
affairs.

Although Ridge is part of the Cabinet that advises the president, his position has not been written into law, or given a separate budget.

Ridge said his new task was to "detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks -- an extraordinary mission but we will carry it out."

"The terrorists will not take away our way of life," Ridge said.

For more on this topic, the Online NewsHour is following stories on the investigation and the U.S. reaction.

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