Aussies push south into Taliban stronghold

TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan, May 20 (UPI) -- Australian troops began an offensive Monday, pushing south into the Taliban stronghold of Afghanistan's Uruzgan province.

Troops from the Australian 4th Reconstruction Task Force are attempting to force Taliban operatives out of the volatile region in an offensive aimed at restoring stability. The RTF 4's push south joins a wider offensive with troops from NATO, England and the United States to disrupt Taliban sanctuaries and force the militants out of the region, the Australian Ministry of Defense reported.

Australian defense officials say RTF 4's push into Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, is an effort to add security to the region and also to begin the reconstruction effort of the now decrepit Uruzgan province's infrastructure and stabilize the region for future economic growth.

"This is an area of huge tactical and strategic significance for the Taliban extremists," Lt. Col. Stuart Yeaman, RTF 4 commanding officer, said in a statement. "This is the Taliban's back yard, and we are right on their main supply route between Helmand province and their supply bases to the North.

"Just months ago Taliban extremists were able to operate almost unhindered here; now the situation is very different. It's fair to say that these operations, which are happening across Afghanistan, are having a real, positive impact on the security situation here."