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A new offensive to drive the Taliban from its central Helmand stronghold has begun.
The British deputy commander of the Nato mission in Afghanistan, Lieutenant-General Sir Nick Parker, said coalition troops would fix the enemy with a “beady eye” in a six-month drive codenamed Operation Mostarak — Pashtu for “together”.
This follows President Obama's decision to send an extra 30,000 American troops — plus a further 10,000 from Nato allies — to Afghanistan.
Lt-Gen Parker said the aim is to seize and hold the area, reducing violence and bringing stability to allow delayed elections to be held.
By December he expected to be able to demonstrate that Nato had brought “stability” to the region, adding: “I don't want to appear overconfident... because this is going to be a difficult task, but this is a very important year.”
