US Military Chief: Enemy in Afghanistan Is Losing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The military's top officer says the enemy in Afghanistan is losing.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen told reporters on Wednesday that local towns are beginning to reject Taliban fighters and that surprising progress is being seen in tough areas like southern Kandahar province.

Still, Mullen predicted that violence will rise this year as the fighting continues. He also says he's not sure when U.S. troops will be able to come home in large numbers.

When asked about President Barack Obama's plan to begin troop withdrawals this July, Mullen said "we don't know from where or how many."