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Villages empty before Afghan push Villages empty before Afghan push
(about 5 hours 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. Meanwhile two British solders have been killed by a bomb in Helmand. They were not involved in the Marja operation.
"Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations," Bob Ainsworth said late on Sunday. The two soldiers were on foot patrol in Sangin when they were killed by a roadside bomb on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said.
"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. 'Scared'
Working together Nato says the town of Marja is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in southern Afghanistan.
Operation Mushtarak - which means "Together" in the Pashtun language of southern Afghanistan - is expected to be launched within the next few days. Operation Moshtarak - which means "together" in the Dari language - is expected to be launched within the next few days.
Bob Ainsworth: "We can never entirely make these operations risk free" ANALYSIS Frank Gardner, BBC News, Kandahar
The British general in overall command of the operation, Maj Gen Nick Carter, said this offensive would be different from previous operations. In camps, bases and portakabin headquarters here in southern Afghanistan there is a sense of impending action.
In the past coalition forces have driven out the Taliban but then had too few troops to maintain security for the local population. Within the next few days thousands of British, US and Afghan assault support troops are due to move into an area of central Helmand province, dominated until now by insurgents and drug lords.
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. The British general in overall command, Maj Gen Nick Carter, insists this will be different from previous operations where coalition forces have driven out the Taliban, then had too few troops to maintain security.
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 class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8499558.stm">UK forces 'soften up' Taliban targets Afghan forces will be followed up by the introduction of large numbers of newly trained police supported by the coalition, he says.
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. Nato aircraft dropped more leaflets over Marja at the weekend warning of the planned offensive.
The town of Marja is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in southern Afghanistan Villagers said the leaflets gave the names of several alleged militant commanders and told fighters to leave the area or be killed, the Associated Press reports.
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.
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.
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."
Another man, Mohammad Hakim, was heading to Lashkar Gah with his wife, nine sons, four daughters and grandchildren.
"Everybody is worried that they'll get caught in the middle when this operation starts," he told the Associated Press.
"I can stay for one or two weeks," he said. "But if I have to leave my agriculture land for months and months, then how will I feed my family?"
Locals fear being trapped between troops and militants
Provincial officials said about 35,000 residents of Marja were taking the advice and heading to other parts of Helmand.
But the International Committee of the Red Cross said there was no way to count how many people had left Marja.
Many are thought to have gone to stay with relatives or found other accomodation in nearby towns, rather than applying for emergency aid.
'Big test'
The forthcoming offensive will be the first major military action since US President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 30,000 extra US troops.
MARJA: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD' 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
Planning has been under way for weeks.
The British general in overall command of the operation, Maj Gen Nick Carter, has told the BBC this will be the first big test for President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan.
For the first time, Gen Carter said, Afghan forces would be at the forefront of planning the operation. Afghan police would provide support after initial military operations.
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 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".
Late on Sunday, UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth warned of likely casualties within coalition troops during the offensive.