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New phase of war in Afghanistan

SUMMARY:

Gen. Tommy Franks said some 2,000 U.S.-led coalition troops are tracking down and killing hundreds of al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in a 60-square-mile, mountainous area near the border of Pakistan as part of Operation Anaconda, named for a snake that crushes its prey in its coils.

"We are entering a phase where we will physically go to places on the ground inside Afghanistan to clear out pockets of resistance as we are able to find them. And, yes, it is more dangerous," said the four-star general who as head of the Central Command based in Tampa, Florida, directs military operations in Afghanistan. (Full story)

Eight U.S. soldiers have been killed in action since the operation began last week. That is the highest number of American combat deaths since the war on terror began in Afghanistan in October.

One U.S. Special Forces soldier died during fighting Saturday. The other casualties came Monday when two helicopters used to reposition forces in the combat zone came under fire while landing.

One soldier died when he apparently fell from a helicopter as it was taking off to leave the area, military officials said. The other casualties came during a firefight that ensued when troops got out of a helicopter after it made a hard landing, Franks said.

Both the Pentagon and President Bush warned that more casualties were expected as U.S. forces tracks down "those who want to harm innocent Americans."

Bush also said, "There is no cave deep enough for Osama bin Laden." (Full story)

Summary Update Key questions Who's who  CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

UPDATE:

A State Department report released Monday called the liberation of Afghanistan from the Taliban "a triumph for human rights in 2001," though some U.S. allies in the war against terrorism were cited for abuses. (Full story)

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe the Muslim world has an unfavorable view of the United States, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. But most Americans do not hold that against Muslim countries, because they believe the negative opinions are caused by misinformation. (Full story)

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge declined a request to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee to explain the $38 billion request for domestic security.

KEY QUESTIONS:

Do al Qaeda and Taliban fighters remain a significant force in Afghanistan?

Will the United States need to send more troops into eastern Afghanistan?

Will the thermobaric bomb be an effective tool in rooting out al Qaeda and Taliban fighters?

How long will the Afghan war detainees be held at Guantanamo Bay?

WHO'S WHO:

Osama bin Laden: Saudi Arabian-born leader of the al Qaeda terrorist network who is accused of masterminding the September 11 strikes on the United States.

George W. Bush: U.S. president

Dick Cheney: U.S. vice president

Vladimir Putin: President of Russia