US forces in Afghanistan were pounded by rockets as coalition troops continued a major al-Qaeda hunt, the US military said today.
A US military spokesman said more than a dozen rockets were targeted at three separate US bases in what was the largest assault on US forces in almost five months.
The attacks came as up to 1,000 personnel continued a major air and ground offensive against al-Qaeda, code-named "Valiant Strike", in mountains near the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.
The spokesman refused to link the attacks, which occurred over a 24-hour period in southeastern Paktika and Khost provinces and central Uruzgan, to the start of US-led hostilities in Iraq.
"Special Forces in Orgun (in Paktika) reported six 107 mm rockets impacting near their base at around 6 p.m. (1.30 p.m. Irish time) Thursday," the spokesman said.
"Four rockets were fired one hour later to the north of the base, followed by a last round at 10 p.m. (5.30 Irish time)".
There were no casualties and no material damage," he said.
AFP