The Taliban have warned Australian SAS troops they will be treated as the enemy as soon as they begin their deployment in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Arab and other Asian foreign fighters have joined the Taliban insurgency, according to the top NATO military commander in Afghanistan.

The insurgents appear in their propaganda videos to be an ill disciplined, rag-tag bunch, but NATO’s military leader in Afghanistan, American General Dan McNeill, says some Taliban fighters have improved.

He says their ranks have been joined by hundreds of foreign fighters who are more extreme and more directly linked to Al Qaeda.

"These days we’re seeing some improved tactics and people, they’re fighting a little harder and better, the people that oppose us," he said.   ……more