Major Operation Against Taliban Under Way
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
Operation Moshtarak - a major offensive targeting one of the Taliban's last strongholds in southern Afghanistan - has begun, a NATO official has said.
Thousands of US, British and Afghan troops are taking part in the assault on the town of Marjah in Helmand province .
It is the first phase of a key operation to re-establish Afghan government control over the region.
Operation Moshtarak - which means 'together' in the Dari language - will involve around 15,000 International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) and Afghan National Army troops.
Those taking part in the offensive include around 3,500 US Marines, 2,000 British troops and about 1,500 Afghan Army soldiers.
There are also about 7,500 military personnel providing support and logistics.
"The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said US Captain Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, which was at the forefront of the attack.
It is expected to be the biggest push against insurgents since US President Barack Obama announced a new surge of American troops in Afghanistan .
And it is one of the largest operations since the Taliban regime was ousted from power in the 2001 invasion.
Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards Battle Group, the Royal Welsh and the Scots Guards took part in preliminary operations last week, and other units are expected to take part as well.
Marjah is a centre of Taliban logistical and drug-smuggling operations.
US commanders expect up to 1,000 insurgents will be holed up inside, including more than 100 foreign fighters.
The operation was announced last week in an attempt to warn civilians and to try and persuade less committed insurgents not to fight.
But critics said warning the enemy will have allowed them to prepare for the attack which could lead to a higher death toll.
Many of the estimated 80,000 people who live in Marjah fled ahead of the assault to escape the violence.
But in recent days, militants who moved into the area have prevented many others from leaving.
The Taliban have spent the last few weeks increasing their numbers in the area and hiding improvised explosive devises, or IEDs.
Western military planners say IEDs will be their biggest challenge as the assault proceeds.
The Commander of the British Engineer Group in Afghanistan warned troops: "We are going into the heart of darkness."
Lieutenant Colonel Matt Bazeley, the Commanding Officer of 28 Engineer Regiment, told soldiers "it is bloody dangerous out there" but added "this is what you have been trained for".
Lt Col Bazeley, speaking to around 200 of his soldiers at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, said the operation was "a key part of delivering security to deliver reconstruction".
"You will be tested," he warned. "If things go wrong, no sad moments, no pauses, we regather and go again. I repeat: much of this operation rests on us."