This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8503428.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Villages empty before Afghan push | Villages empty before Afghan push |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of villagers living in a Taliban-controlled area of southern Afghanistan are leaving before a major Nato-led offensive gets under way. | Hundreds of villagers living in a Taliban-controlled area of southern Afghanistan are leaving before a major Nato-led offensive gets under way. |
| It is expected to be one of the largest counter-insurgency operations since the Afghan conflict began in 2001. | It is expected to be one of the largest counter-insurgency operations since the Afghan conflict began in 2001. |
| The operation to clear insurgents from the southern town of Marja, in Helmand province, is expected to begin soon. | The operation to clear insurgents from the southern town of Marja, in Helmand province, is expected to begin soon. |
| The UK defence secretary has warned of likely casualties within coalition troops during the offensive. | The UK defence secretary has warned of likely casualties within coalition troops during the offensive. |
| "Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations," Bob Ainsworth said late on Sunday. | "Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations," Bob Ainsworth said late on Sunday. |
| "This is not in any way a safe environment and it doesn't matter how much kit and equipment we provide for people. We can never entirely make these operations risk-free," he added. | "This is not in any way a safe environment and it doesn't matter how much kit and equipment we provide for people. We can never entirely make these operations risk-free," he added. |
| Working together | Working together |
| Operation Mushtarak - which means "Together" in the Pashtun language of southern Afghanistan - is expected to be launched within the next few days. | Operation Mushtarak - which means "Together" in the Pashtun language of southern Afghanistan - is expected to be launched within the next few days. |
| Bob Ainsworth: "We can never entirely make these operations risk free" | Bob Ainsworth: "We can never entirely make these operations risk free" |
| The British general in overall command of the operation, Maj Gen Nick Carter, said this offensive would be different from previous operations. | The British general in overall command of the operation, Maj Gen Nick Carter, said this offensive would be different from previous operations. |
| In the past coalition forces have driven out the Taliban but then had too few troops to maintain security for the local population. | In the past coalition forces have driven out the Taliban but then had too few troops to maintain security for the local population. |
| For the first time, Gen Carter said, Afghan forces would be at the forefront of planning the operation, before being followed up by the introduction of large numbers of newly trained police supported by the coalition. | For the first time, Gen Carter said, Afghan forces would be at the forefront of planning the operation, before being followed up by the introduction of large numbers of newly trained police supported by the coalition. |
| MARJA IN THE CROSSHAIRS Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar GahLies in Helmand's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmlandLast remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern HelmandArea considered a centre for assembling roadside bombsKey supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for TalibanEstimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000 Population of Marja town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marja district is thought to have 125,000 UK forces 'soften up' Taliban targets | MARJA IN THE CROSSHAIRS Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar GahLies in Helmand's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmlandLast remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern HelmandArea considered a centre for assembling roadside bombsKey supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for TalibanEstimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000 Population of Marja town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marja district is thought to have 125,000 UK forces 'soften up' Taliban targets |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, at the regional headquarters in Kandahar, says that commanders are aware of the Afghan police's sometimes dubious reputation and are preparing to monitor their performance during the operation. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, at the regional headquarters in Kandahar, says that commanders are aware of the Afghan police's sometimes dubious reputation and are preparing to monitor their performance during the operation. |
| The town of Marja is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in southern Afghanistan | The town of Marja is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in southern Afghanistan |
| The overall Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation would "send a strong signal that the Afghan government is expanding its security control". | The overall Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation would "send a strong signal that the Afghan government is expanding its security control". |
| The forthcoming offensive will be the first major military action since US President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 30,000 extra US troops. | The forthcoming offensive will be the first major military action since US President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 30,000 extra US troops. |
| Planning has been under way for weeks, with Nato helicopters dropping leaflets on the area warning residents to leave the area. | Planning has been under way for weeks, with Nato helicopters dropping leaflets on the area warning residents to leave the area. |
| Provincial officials said about 35,000 residents of Marja were taking the advice and heading to other parts of Helmand. | Provincial officials said about 35,000 residents of Marja were taking the advice and heading to other parts of Helmand. |
| One resident, Gul Muhammed, told AFP news agency why he had left town. | One resident, Gul Muhammed, told AFP news agency why he had left town. |
| "There are Taliban all over the place and foreign troops around Marja," he said. "So I was scared that we might get hurt." | "There are Taliban all over the place and foreign troops around Marja," he said. "So I was scared that we might get hurt." |