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2010-02-13 Afghanistan
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NATO launches major Afghanistan offensive
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[Al Arabiya Latest] U.S.-led NATO troops launched an offensive early on Saturday designed to seize control of the Taliban's last big stronghold in Afghanistan's most violent province, a Reuters witness said.
The assault, the first since U.S. President Barack Obama ordered 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan in December, is the start of a campaign to impose government control on rebel-held areas this year, before U.S. forces start to withdraw in 2011.
About 4,500 U.S. Marines, 1,500 Afghan troops and 300 U.S. soldiers are taking part in the offensive in Marjah, in Helmand Province.
One local Taliban commander, Qari Fazluddin, told Reuters earlier some 2,000 fighters were ready to fight in Marjah, a densely populated area.
Marjah is an area of lush farmland criss-crossed by canals is located in the centre of Helmand province in Afghanistan's south. It has been a recruiting ground for insurgents and has been known for poppy cultivation for many years. Troops began an assault on the town on Saturday in an effort to demonstrate the Afghan government's ability to reinforce its own security.
Hundreds of families in Marjah have fled their homes and farms to neighboring districts for fear of the operations. Fleeing villagers said the Taliban fighters were gathering and had planted roadside bombs in farmland and roads.
Marjah is near the dividing line between the northern part of the province, patrolled by a nearly 10,000-strong British-led NATO contingent, and the southern area patrolled by around 15,000 U.S. Marines.
The U.S. military said its goal was to take control of the town quickly to re-establish the presence of the Afghan government and to provide public services to the estimated 100,000 residents in the area. British and Afghan forces last week said they launched part of an initial phase of Operation Mushtarak, or "Together," the name of the offensive to seize Helmand's Nad Ali district. 
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Posted by Fred 2010-02-13 00:00||
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File under: Taliban
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Posted by 3dc 2010-02-13 09:56||
2010-02-13 09:56||
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