US, Afghan attacks force Taliban to retreat

HERAT, Afghanistan, May 16 (AFP): Afghan commandos and US air attacks have driven the Taliban to the outskirts of Farah city, officials said Wednesday, after a day-long battle to prevent the insurgents from seizing the western provincial capital.

The US carried out more drone strikes overnight and the Afghan army is still clearing the city, Afghan and NATO officials said.

Shops, offices and schools remain closed, with residents frightened to leave home after hours of heavy fighting. A NATO spokesman said there could be more fighting Wednesday.

"The Taliban have retreated from the city and positioned their forces in the outskirts," provincial council member Dadullah Qani told AFP from Farah.

Fighting continued late into the night, he said. "The city is still closed as people are in fear."

With internet and mobile networks patchy, casualty figures were difficult to verify.