More than 100 people have been killed in three days of clashes between Nato and the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, Afghan officials said.
Afghanistan has seen an increase in violence the last several days, leading to a mounting number of civilian casualties that are sapping support for foreign troops and the government of President Hamid Karzai.
US-led coalition jets bombed a compound, killing seven boys and several fighters.
Even though a majority of civilians deaths is caused by attacks initiated by the Taliban, Afghan anger over civilian casualties is often directed toward US and Nato-led troops. Such killings have prompted Afghan authorities to plead repeatedly for international forces to work more closely with Afghans.
In the southern province Uruzgan, the Taliban have launched what appears to be their biggest offensive of the year, forcing Nato troops to respond. They also have taken over a district in neighbouring Kandahar, a police official said.
Dutch military officials said hundreds of Taliban fighters attacked police posts near the strategic town of Chora on Saturday. The attack appeared to be a change in strategy by the insurgents, who had been relying on an increasing number of suicide and roadside bombings this year.