Officials in Pakistan fear that the fighters could mount antigovernment operations inside Pakistan or cross back into Afghanistan to carry out hit-and-run raids.

On Wednesday morning, 15 fighters mounted a coordinated assault on marines who were stretched thin across a corner of the city.

In late July 2012, the conflict reached Aleppo in earnest when fighters from the surrounding countryside mounted their first offensive there, apparently trying to capitalise on momentum gained during the Damascus assault.

"They fought well, better than the ones we'd seen," he said, noting that the fighters had mounted a coordinated defense and fired from deep in the house to hide their muzzle flashes.

Along with the stiff resistance Iraqi fighters have mounted against American troops advancing toward Baghdad, the government here has sought to marshal world opinion to its side with accounts of its struggle against America.

As it turned out, the fighters never mounted a serious political challenge here, and never did much damage until the tourist killings.

Are those fighters now mounting a guerrilla offensive?

She and five other fighters mounted the sled.

Anti-Treaty fighters mount an ambush of a Free State cycling patrol near Milltown, Kerry.

Although the fighters cannot mount significant offensives, he said, attacks continue.