U.S. Commander Says More Focus On Haqqani Militants

http://www.rferl.org/

The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says allied and Afghan forces are focusing more on going after the Haqqani militant network, which has threatened to disrupt the Afghan presidential elections in April.

Marine General Joseph Dunford said the United States was targeting the groups financing and freedom of movement.

He said Haqqani militants have been more active in the past few months.

The Haqqani network is blamed for some of the most high-profile attacks in Afghanistan. U.S. officials have repeatedly pressed Pakistani authorities to move more aggressively against the militants, who are based in North Waziristan and regularly cross the border to conduct attacks against U.S. and coalition troops.

Dunford told members of the House Armed Services Committee on March 13 that he would need 102 days to withdraw U.S. troops and equipment from Afghanistan and turn over any remaining bases to the Afghans.