U.S. troops plan to push the Taliban out of the Afghan city of Kandahar by the beginning of August, before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in a major offensive starting in June, U.S. officials said on Monday, Reuters reported.
The campaign would then shift from a "clearing" phase to a "secure and deliver government" phase, expected to last at least until mid-October, according to a rough timeline presented by senior U.S. military officials on condition of anonymity.