Using the new strategy, senior American military officials say that hundreds of Al Qaeda fighters have been surrounded and cut off.

At this point it became clear that Al Qaeda fighters had been expecting an attack.

Many Al Qaeda fighters were determined to fight to the end.

And while some Al Qaeda fighters tried to mount a defense, others ran.

In the weeks since, nine of the less seriously wounded Al Qaeda fighters slipped away.

How would so few of his men handle a complement of Al Qaeda fighters?

Nearly 200 Al Qaeda fighters have since been captured, according to army officials.

Six Al Qaeda fighters and 9 guards were killed, while 41 prisoners escaped into the nearby hills.

They were asked whether captured Al Qaeda fighters were being questioned.

There are several reasons why Al Qaeda fighters have put up such stiff resistance.