Four escape from US army base

2005-07-11 13:31

Kabul - Four suspected terrorists escaped on Monday from the main US base in Afghanistan, the first time anyone has broken out of the heavily guarded detention facility, sparking a massive ground and air search, officials said.

"They are considered dangerous and are suspected terrorists. That is why they were detained initially," said military spokesperson, Lt Cindy Moore.

The four are from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Libya, said Kaber Ahmad, the government chief in Bagram town, which is adjacent to the vast US base by the same name, and whose security forces are helping in the search.

"Coalition forces, police and Afghan troops have surrounded several villages near the base," he said. "The coalition has distributed photos of the four. They all have short hair, long beards and are wearing yellow prison clothes."

Elaborate

Moore declined to identify the four or elaborate on why they were being held. Another military spokesperson, Lt Col. Jerry O'Hara, described them only as "enemy combatants".

He said it was the first time anyone has broken out of Bagram's heavily guarded detention facility. The base is home to thousands of US and coalition soldiers.

US helicopters, American troops on the ground and Afghan forces were scouring the area around Bagram, an hour's drive north of Kabul, for the four suspects who went missing around dawn, she said.

About 500 prisoners are being held by US forces in Afghanistan, most of them at Bagram, O'Hara said.

The escape comes after allegations that US military personnel at Bagram and at other detention facilities have abused inmates. The US military has said it would not tolerate any maltreatment.

- AP