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Major Afghan offensive 'launched' Major Afghan offensive launched
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says.Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says.
Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control.Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control.
Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants.Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants.
Many residents fled ahead of Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari.Many residents fled ahead of Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari.
Nato had distributed leaflets in the Marjah area warning of the planned offensive in a bid to limit civilian casualties. Villagers said they warned Taliban fighters to leave the area or be killed.Nato had distributed leaflets in the Marjah area warning of the planned offensive in a bid to limit civilian casualties. Villagers said they warned Taliban fighters to leave the area or be killed.
On Friday, British forces began a "softening up" process, taking part in a Nato ground and air offensive in Helmand province. We are going to take this place and take it very hard Senior Nato official class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8500903.stm">Details on Operation Moshtarak
Despite the warnings, reports from Helmand suggest many civilians remain, while the Taliban has claimed its fighters are ready to resist the assault.
It is thought the Taliban will have prepared defences, and planted many improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Earlier this week British forces began a "softening up" process, taking part in a Nato ground and air offensive on insurgent positions.
On Thursday a British soldier involved in Operation Moshtarak was killed by an IED, and UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned that there will be more casualties in the coming days.
'First wave''First wave'
Operation Moshtarak will be led by the US Marine Corps, but British troops will also be involved, supported by Danes and Estonians. Some reports say more than 15,000 troops in total will be sent to the area. Operation Moshtarak will be led by the US Marine Corps, but some 4,000 British troops will also be involved, supported by Danes and Estonians. Some reports say more than 15,000 troops in total will be sent to the area.
MARJAH: '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 Marjah town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marjah district is thought to have 125,000 UK forces 'soften up' Taliban targetsMARJAH: '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 Marjah town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marjah district is thought to have 125,000 UK forces 'soften up' Taliban targets
The initial offensive in Marjah on Saturday saw more than 4,000 US marines, 1,500 Afghan soldiers and 300 US soldiers move in by helicopter under cover of night. The initial offensive in Marjah began early on Saturday.
The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), the Associated Press reported. More than 4,000 US marines, 1,500 Afghan soldiers and 300 US soldiers moved in by helicopter under cover of night.
The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 local time (2130 GMT on Friday ), the Associated Press reported.
"The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, which was at the forefront of the attack."The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, which was at the forefront of the attack.
For the first time Afghan forces have been at the forefront of planning and will share the burden of the fighting. Afghan police will provide support after the initial military operations end. For the first time Afghan forces have been at the forefront of planning and will share the burden of the fighting. More than 1,900 Afghan police will provide support after the initial military operations end, and a large team of Afghan administrators have been assembled.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says the offensive has political importance because it is by far the largest single operation since US President Barack Obama announced a "surge" in December, pumping an extra 30,000 troops into the country. "We are in this together. We planned it together; we will fight it together; we will see it through together. Afghans with allies; soldiers with civilians; government with its people," the commander of British forces in Helmand, Brig James Cowan, told his troops on Thursday.
Marjah, which lies in Helmand's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland - is a hive of Taliban activity and is a centre for cultivation of opium poppies. "Soon we will clear the Taliban from its safe havens in central Helmand. Where we go, we will stay. Where we stay, we will build."
'Tipping point'
A senior Nato official told the BBC that Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai, had approved the start of the offensive on Thursday.
The official said it was "probably the definitive operation" of the counter-insurgency strategy outlined last year by the commander of both Nato and US forces in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal.
Residents of Marjah fear being trapped between troops and militants
"If it goes well, this operation could potentially define the tipping point, the crucial momentum aspect in the counter-insurgency," the official said. "We are going to take this place and take it very hard."
The decision to go into Marjah is part of an effort to secure a 320km (200-mile) horseshoe-shaped string of cities that runs along the Helmand River, through Kandahar and on to the Pakistani border, the official added.
The area holds 85% of the population of Kandahar and Helmand.
The BBC's Adam Brookes says the offensive has political importance in Washington because it is by far the largest single operation since President Barack Obama announced a "surge" in December, increasing the number of US troops in the country by 30,000 to nearly 100,000.
Marjah, which lies in Helmand's "green zone" - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland - is a hive of Taliban activity and is a centre for cultivation of opium poppies.
Once the area is secured, Nato hopes to provide aid and to restore public services in the area. The aim, the alliance says, is to win support among the estimated 125,000 people who live there and prevent the Taliban from regaining control.Once the area is secured, Nato hopes to provide aid and to restore public services in the area. The aim, the alliance says, is to win support among the estimated 125,000 people who live there and prevent the Taliban from regaining control.
Operation Moshtarak: Assault in Helmand provinceOperation Moshtarak: Assault in Helmand province