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WORLD: US marines storm Helmand
Rashid Razaq2 Jul 2009
American forces have launched a major offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan in an attempt to wipe out the opium trade funding the militants.
Around 4,000 US marines and hundreds of Afghan troops moved into Helmand province today in the first new military operation under President
Barack Obama.
Britain has been criticised for having too few troops in Afghanistan to conduct full-scale counterinsurgency operations.
US marines launch offensive in Helmand, Afghanistan
It has meant they have had to employ aerial warfare to attack suspected Taliban hideouts, leading to civilian deaths and a loss of support
among the public.
The American initiative represents the first part of the extra 21,000 additional troops pledged by President Obama to tackle the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan.
Helmand is one of the deadliest provinces in the country. There have been 169 British troops killed since 2001 with enemy fighters adopting effective guerrilla tactics and roadside bombs.
Dubbed Operation Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword, the new military push was described by officials as the largest and fastest-moving of the war's new phase.
The goal is to clear insurgents from the hotly-contested Helmand River Valley before the nation's presidential election on 20 August.
British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and neighbouring Kandahar provinces. They will continue to support the new American operation.
Marine Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said: “Where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces.”
The Marines will be pushing into areas where NATO and Afghan troops have not previously established a permanent presence. As part of the counter-insurgency strategy, the troops will
meeting with local leaders.
The governor of Helmand province predicted the operation would be “very effective.” Gulab Mangal added: “The security forces will build bases to provide security for the local people
so that they can carry out every activity with this favorable background, and take their lives forward in peace.”
The total number of American forces in Afghanistan is set to reach 68,000 by the end of the year, which is still half the number in Iraq.
The Taliban, who took control of Afghanistan in 1996 and were ousted from power following a US-led invasion in 2001, have made a violent comeback, wreaking havoc in much of the country's south and east.
Reversing the insurgency's momentum has been a key component of the new strategy, and thousands of additional troops will allow commanders to push into and stay in areas where international and Afghan troops have had no permanent presence before.
While US Marine are the main fighting force, they will be supported by recently arrived Army helicopters in the operation in Helmand province.
In March, President Obama said he would make defeating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan a priority.
Reader views (1)
Very amazing report.Last eight your what allied forces are doing there?? Are they fooling the peoples?? Time to time USA and UK army general had said that war cannot be win by force. We have to negotiate with the concerned peoples i.e Mullah Umar and others.There should be political salutation rather than killing innocent human being (women children) Every day there is report of killing 12,20 or50 Taliban. When they will full control over Afghanistan?? It is very difficult.
It is open secreter on all TV talk show that USA UK India and Israel are behind all this drama. They have different object to fulfill. Most of the media anchor are against this war.
In March, President Obama said he would make defeating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan a priority.NO way he cannot defeat. His statements had been changed on time to time. It is easy to say and difficult in practical.
God sake come to the conclusion and stop this war which spoil the economy of the world spending $ billion and trillion.But how long????
- M A Chishty, London, 02/07/2009 12:56
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