Marines near Kandahar on high alert

CAMP RHINO, Afghanistan (CNN) --U.S. Marines stationed near Kandahar went on high alert late Friday, one day after killing seven people and destroying three vehicles in clashes with what were believed to be Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, according to the Marine Corps.

Cobra helicopter gunships set off Friday from an airstrip at Camp Rhino, the desert base southwest of Kandahar containing more than 1,000 Marines and allied troops. The Cobras joined U.S. vehicles hunting for an enemy convoy near the compound's perimeter, but found nothing, according to Marines spokesmen.

The previous night, Marines attacked a Taliban convoy of vehicles, including at least one armored vehicle, that was attempting to run a roadblock near Kandahar.

A vehicle approached the Marines at high speed and the Marines opened fire, destroying it, said Capt. David Romley, speaking to reporters at Camp Rhino. There were also fighters on foot, Romley said.