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| UK forces join Afghan offensive | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| More than 1,200 British troops are involved in a major offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan. | |
| Some 15,000 American, British and Afghan soldiers are attacking the Taliban in the Nad-e-Ali and Marjah districts of Helmand Province. | Some 15,000 American, British and Afghan soldiers are attacking the Taliban in the Nad-e-Ali and Marjah districts of Helmand Province. |
| Operation Moshtarak is the biggest operation since the 2001 invasion. | |
| The commander of the British forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier James Cowan, said the aim was to "not to crush the Taliban but to win the people". | The commander of the British forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier James Cowan, said the aim was to "not to crush the Taliban but to win the people". |
| In an eve-of-battle speech to troops at Camp Bastion, Brig Cowan urged them to remember they were fighting alongside their Afghan partners and other allies. | In an eve-of-battle speech to troops at Camp Bastion, Brig Cowan urged them to remember they were fighting alongside their Afghan partners and other allies. |
| "In the past few weeks we have trained to be a combined force. Soon we will be part of an operation the like of which has not been seen since the start of this campaign." | "In the past few weeks we have trained to be a combined force. Soon we will be part of an operation the like of which has not been seen since the start of this campaign." |
| 'Courageous restraint' | 'Courageous restraint' |
| Brig Cowan urged his troops to avoid civilian casualties at all costs, even when confronted with grave danger. | Brig Cowan urged his troops to avoid civilian casualties at all costs, even when confronted with grave danger. |
| He said: "Defeat the enemy by avoiding civilian casualties. Hold your fire if there is a risk to the innocent, even if this puts you in greater danger. That kind of restraint requires courage - courageous restraint. This you have shown throughout our time in Afghanistan. | He said: "Defeat the enemy by avoiding civilian casualties. Hold your fire if there is a risk to the innocent, even if this puts you in greater danger. That kind of restraint requires courage - courageous restraint. This you have shown throughout our time in Afghanistan. |
| AT THE SCENE Ian PannellBBC NewsNad Ali There are the best part of 100 British troops here together with the Afghan National Army. They've moved much faster than they expected. | AT THE SCENE Ian PannellBBC NewsNad Ali There are the best part of 100 British troops here together with the Afghan National Army. They've moved much faster than they expected. |
| We arrived here under the cover of darkness with a whole series of helicopters ferrying troops out to different parts of the district. We landed at about 0400 and waited in a field until first light then started to move through the village where we are now. | We arrived here under the cover of darkness with a whole series of helicopters ferrying troops out to different parts of the district. We landed at about 0400 and waited in a field until first light then started to move through the village where we are now. |
| There has been not much sign of insurgents or, indeed, the local population - they seem to have fled in advance. | There has been not much sign of insurgents or, indeed, the local population - they seem to have fled in advance. |
| We have heard a few booms in the distance - we believe those are controlled explosions of IEDs. So far, and it's early days, UK forces seem pleased with how things have gone. Operation Moshtarak: Diary | We have heard a few booms in the distance - we believe those are controlled explosions of IEDs. So far, and it's early days, UK forces seem pleased with how things have gone. Operation Moshtarak: Diary |
| "Offer an open hand in friendship to those who do not wish to fight. They can join the people of Afghanistan and their government in rebuilding their society. | "Offer an open hand in friendship to those who do not wish to fight. They can join the people of Afghanistan and their government in rebuilding their society. |
| "For those who will not shake our hand they will find it closed in a fist. They will be defeated." | "For those who will not shake our hand they will find it closed in a fist. They will be defeated." |
| Earlier this week British forces began a "softening up" process, taking part in a Nato ground and air offensive on insurgent positions. | 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 Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned that there will be more casualties in the coming days. | On Thursday a British soldier involved in Operation Moshtarak was killed by an IED, and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned that there will be more casualties in the coming days. |
| Speaking earlier on Friday, the Commander of the British Engineer Group in Afghanistan warned troops: "We are going into the heart of darkness." | Speaking earlier on Friday, the Commander of the British Engineer Group in Afghanistan warned troops: "We are going into the heart of darkness." |
| Lieutenant Colonel Matt Bazeley, the Commanding Officer of 28 Engineer Regiment, told soldiers "it is bloody dangerous out there," but added "this is what you have been trained for". | Lieutenant Colonel Matt Bazeley, the Commanding Officer of 28 Engineer Regiment, told soldiers "it is bloody dangerous out there," but added "this is what you have been trained for". |
| Nato Commander Maj Gen Nick Carter said 11 Taliban bases had been captured and the offensive had been "so far extremely successful". | |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said there had been no British casualties or collateral damage so far. | |
| "In terms of the overall insertion - and I prefer to use the word insertion rather than assault - it's gone remarkably well," he said. | |
| The Ministry of Defence said Moshtarak was the first part of a three-stage plan to increase security in Afghanistan. | The Ministry of Defence said Moshtarak was the first part of a three-stage plan to increase security in Afghanistan. |
| Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards Battle Group, Coldstream Guards and the Royal Welsh are taking part, along with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. | Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards Battle Group, Coldstream Guards and the Royal Welsh are taking part, along with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. |
| Operation Moshtarak: Assault in Helmand province | Operation Moshtarak: Assault in Helmand province |