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| Taliban 'forced from strongholds' | Taliban 'forced from strongholds' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A joint Nato and Afghan military operation is succeeding in pushing Taliban fighters from their strongholds in Helmand province, officials say. | A joint Nato and Afghan military operation is succeeding in pushing Taliban fighters from their strongholds in Helmand province, officials say. |
| On day three of Operation Moshtarak, senior Afghan officers said areas around Marjah and Nad Ali were being cleared of insurgents. | On day three of Operation Moshtarak, senior Afghan officers said areas around Marjah and Nad Ali were being cleared of insurgents. |
| However, US troops in Marjah were being slowed down by snipers and home-made bombs, a BBC correspondent says. | However, US troops in Marjah were being slowed down by snipers and home-made bombs, a BBC correspondent says. |
| The campaign aims to bring the areas back under Afghan government control. | The campaign aims to bring the areas back under Afghan government control. |
| However, the operation suffered a setback on Sunday when rockets fired by coalition troops killed 12 civilians. | However, the operation suffered a setback on Sunday when rockets fired by coalition troops killed 12 civilians. |
| Nato commander Gen Stanley McChrystal said he "deeply regretted this tragic loss of life". | Nato commander Gen Stanley McChrystal said he "deeply regretted this tragic loss of life". |
| 'Low resistance' | 'Low resistance' |
| On Monday, Afghan Brig Gen Sher Mohammad Zazai said coalition troops had largely contained the insurgents. | On Monday, Afghan Brig Gen Sher Mohammad Zazai said coalition troops had largely contained the insurgents. |
| We don't have anything, we didn't bring anything with us, some friends give us blankets Haji Mohammed Jan, after fleeing Marjah | We don't have anything, we didn't bring anything with us, some friends give us blankets Haji Mohammed Jan, after fleeing Marjah |
| He said local residents were helping troops to locate explosives left by the Taliban. | He said local residents were helping troops to locate explosives left by the Taliban. |
| "Today there is no major movement of the enemy," he said. | "Today there is no major movement of the enemy," he said. |
| "South of Marjah they are very weak. There has been low resistance. Soon we will have Marjah cleared of enemies." | "South of Marjah they are very weak. There has been low resistance. Soon we will have Marjah cleared of enemies." |
| Gen Aminullah Patiani told AFP news agency "all of the areas of Marjah and Nad Ali have been taken by combined forces. They are under our control". | Gen Aminullah Patiani told AFP news agency "all of the areas of Marjah and Nad Ali have been taken by combined forces. They are under our control". |
| ANALYSIS Frank Gardner,BBC News, Kandahar | ANALYSIS Frank Gardner,BBC News, Kandahar |
| It's day three of the joint Nato-Afghan military operation and forces have experienced both successes and setbacks. | It's day three of the joint Nato-Afghan military operation and forces have experienced both successes and setbacks. |
| After inserting thousands of troops by helicopter into Taliban-held territory, Nato commanders say they are so far achieving their military objectives. | After inserting thousands of troops by helicopter into Taliban-held territory, Nato commanders say they are so far achieving their military objectives. |
| Meanwhile US, British and Afghan forces are having to cope with an unexpectedly high number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). | Meanwhile US, British and Afghan forces are having to cope with an unexpectedly high number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). |
| For all the hi-tech aerial surveillance, infrared cameras and sophisticated eavesdropping at Nato's disposal, its forces appear to have underestimated the scale of the problem of these roadside bombs. Situation report: Day three | For all the hi-tech aerial surveillance, infrared cameras and sophisticated eavesdropping at Nato's disposal, its forces appear to have underestimated the scale of the problem of these roadside bombs. Situation report: Day three |
| He added: "The Taliban have left the areas, but the threat from IEDs [improvised explosive devices] remains." | He added: "The Taliban have left the areas, but the threat from IEDs [improvised explosive devices] remains." |
| Marjah resident Haji Mohammed Jan told the BBC the Taliban had tried to stop people leaving, but he and others had managed to escape. | Marjah resident Haji Mohammed Jan told the BBC the Taliban had tried to stop people leaving, but he and others had managed to escape. |
| "We don't have anything, we didn't bring anything with us, some friends give us blankets," he said. "All we had we have left behind. We don't like fighting. We are tired of it." | |
| Dawud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor, said nearly 1,000 displaced families had arrived in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. | Dawud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor, said nearly 1,000 displaced families had arrived in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. |
| Afghan MP Fauzia Koffi told the BBC that residents were confused about the operation, because the military offensive was very different from the suggestion at a recent conference in London that elements of the Taliban should be engaged in talks. | |
| She also said that the Taliban had not allowed civilians to leave Marjah and if civilian casualties increased it would adversely affect the opinion of the Afghan people. | She also said that the Taliban had not allowed civilians to leave Marjah and if civilian casualties increased it would adversely affect the opinion of the Afghan people. |
| 'Exceptionally proud' | 'Exceptionally proud' |
| The BBC's Frank Gardner, at Kandahar air base, says a clear difference is emerging between Nad Ali - where British troops are operating, and Marjah to the south where US troops are focused. | The BBC's Frank Gardner, at Kandahar air base, says a clear difference is emerging between Nad Ali - where British troops are operating, and Marjah to the south where US troops are focused. |
| General Stanley McChrystal on ''protecting the people of Afghanistan'' | General Stanley McChrystal on ''protecting the people of Afghanistan'' |
| While British forces have been able to move quickly to their objectives, US Marines are advancing slowly and painstakingly, being held back by snipers and more home-made bombs than they had expected, he said. | While British forces have been able to move quickly to their objectives, US Marines are advancing slowly and painstakingly, being held back by snipers and more home-made bombs than they had expected, he said. |
| The BBC's Ian Pannell, embedded with British forces in Nad Ali, says troops have been spreading out to try to reassure locals, listen to their complaints and assuage their fears. | |
| He says the locals appeared happy to see the Afghan army but did not want the arrival of police, who they see as corrupt, partisan and inept. | |
| Military intelligence experts believe most Taliban who have chosen to stay and fight are concentrated around Marjah. | Military intelligence experts believe most Taliban who have chosen to stay and fight are concentrated around Marjah. |
| In northern Marjah on Monday, an armoured column came under fire from at least three sniper teams, AP news agency reported. | In northern Marjah on Monday, an armoured column came under fire from at least three sniper teams, AP news agency reported. |
| HIMARS ROCKET SYSTEM US artillery rocket system developed by Lockheed MartinCarries six rockets on mobile launcher. Range can exceed 45km (28 miles)Alternative payload is one long-range ATMS guided missileUses include targeting artillery, air defences, light armour and in infantry supportAble to launch and move quickly before retaliatory strikePrototypes used during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Entered full US service in 2005 Afghan voices on Moshtarak UK troops 'must win trust' In pictures: Moshtarak day three | |
| Reuters quoted US Marines as saying they had twice unsuccessfully tried to clear one bazaar area in Marjah of enemy positions. | Reuters quoted US Marines as saying they had twice unsuccessfully tried to clear one bazaar area in Marjah of enemy positions. |
| Despite the setbacks, Nato and Afghan commanders insist they now have enough troops to hold the ground taken and will soon be bringing in hundreds of newly trained police to re-establish Afghan government control, our correspondent adds. | Despite the setbacks, Nato and Afghan commanders insist they now have enough troops to hold the ground taken and will soon be bringing in hundreds of newly trained police to re-establish Afghan government control, our correspondent adds. |
| Operation Moshtarak, meaning "together" in the Dari language, is the biggest coalition attack since the Taliban fell in 2001. | Operation Moshtarak, meaning "together" in the Dari language, is the biggest coalition attack since the Taliban fell in 2001. |
| The operation is also considered the first big test of US President Barack Obama's new "surge" strategy for Afghanistan. | The operation is also considered the first big test of US President Barack Obama's new "surge" strategy for Afghanistan. |
| Nato has stressed that the safety of civilians in the areas targeted is their highest priority. | Nato has stressed that the safety of civilians in the areas targeted is their highest priority. |
| However, on Sunday two rockets fired from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) in the Marjah area missed their target, hit a building and killed 12 Afghan civilians. | However, on Sunday two rockets fired from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) in the Marjah area missed their target, hit a building and killed 12 Afghan civilians. |
| Gen McChrystal immediately suspended all use of the rocket system involved and Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered an investigation. | Gen McChrystal immediately suspended all use of the rocket system involved and Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered an investigation. |
| At a news conference on Monday, Gen McChrystal said that before the operation had begun, President Karzai had stressed the importance of protecting Afghan civilians. | At a news conference on Monday, Gen McChrystal said that before the operation had begun, President Karzai had stressed the importance of protecting Afghan civilians. |
| "This operation has been done with that in mind," he said. | "This operation has been done with that in mind," he said. |
| "While this is an Afghan-led operation, I think it highlights the special partnership which we've developed that I'm very proud of. And I would ask the media to watch the bravery of Afghan national security forces and their coalition partners because I'm exceptionally proud of how they are performing." | "While this is an Afghan-led operation, I think it highlights the special partnership which we've developed that I'm very proud of. And I would ask the media to watch the bravery of Afghan national security forces and their coalition partners because I'm exceptionally proud of how they are performing." |
| Speaking at the same conference, Afghan interior minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar urged Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and take up the government's offer of reconciliation. | Speaking at the same conference, Afghan interior minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar urged Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and take up the government's offer of reconciliation. |
| "There is no way you can win there, the Afghan people are determined to win," he said. | "There is no way you can win there, the Afghan people are determined to win," he said. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The "surge" approach drove most of the insurgents out of Iraq and there is no reason why it shouldn't work in AfghanistanAlan Trent, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY The "surge" approach drove most of the insurgents out of Iraq and there is no reason why it shouldn't work in AfghanistanAlan Trent, London Send us your comments |
| The 15,000-strong coalition force includes 4,000 US Marines, a similar number of British troops plus a large Afghan contingent. Soldiers from Canada, Denmark and Estonia are also involved. | The 15,000-strong coalition force includes 4,000 US Marines, a similar number of British troops plus a large Afghan contingent. Soldiers from Canada, Denmark and Estonia are also involved. |
| Two Nato deaths related to Operation Moshtarak have so far been confirmed. | Two Nato deaths related to Operation Moshtarak have so far been confirmed. |
| On Saturday, a British soldier, Lance Sergeant David Greenhalgh of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack, while a US soldier was killed by gunfire in Marjah. | On Saturday, a British soldier, Lance Sergeant David Greenhalgh of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, died in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack, while a US soldier was killed by gunfire in Marjah. |
| Another British casualty was announced on Monday, although not connected to Operation Moshtarak. UK officials said the soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment died during an night-time patrol near Musa Qaleh in Helmand on Sunday. | Another British casualty was announced on Monday, although not connected to Operation Moshtarak. UK officials said the soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment died during an night-time patrol near Musa Qaleh in Helmand on Sunday. |
| At least 20 Taliban fighters were killed and another 11 detained on Saturday, the Afghan army said. | At least 20 Taliban fighters were killed and another 11 detained on Saturday, the Afghan army said. |
| Are you in Helmand province? What will the military operation there achieve? Send us your views using the form below. | Are you in Helmand province? What will the military operation there achieve? Send us your views using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |