Afghanistan Launching Operation Moshtarak in Marjah, Helmand

[Vidboy10]

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.
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.
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.
'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.

MARJAH: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD'
*Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar Gah
*Lies in Helmand's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland
*Last remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern Helmand
*Area considered a centre for assembling roadside bombs
*Key supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for Taliban
*Estimates 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 assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), 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.
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.
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.
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.

Source

It's a very interesting offence...
Even though i can see it being worked the other way around.

 

[Deleted_171835]

Interesting. Hopefully, it'll work out.

That's a lot of people to convince though and there is sure to be heavy resistance.

 

[Bladexdsl]

wipe them out...all of them

 

[DSGamer64]

wipe them out...all of them

Yup, I'd shoot every extremist between the eyes at point blank range if I could. Wipe those psycho freaks out and let the Afghans return to peace.

 

[ganons]

really? when they know bin laden aint there they still bombing the country. Saddam had no weapons they still went in. Only extremeists are the american governemnt

 

[injected11]

really? when they know bin laden aint there they still bombing the country. Saddam had no weapons they still went in. Only extremeists are the american governemnt

The article states why they're doing it. What does Saddam have to do with Afghanistan, and why are you bringing him up? You're blaming the last government's problems on the new government? You sound just like the typical republican. I also was amused that you call our government the only extremeists when the Canadian above you talks about his willingness to shoot people in the face.

If you can't be bothered to read the article or make sense, keep it to yourself.

 

[worlok375]

Oh look the UK is helping too.

 

[cyr0x]

Tactical Nuke anyone?

 

[injected11]

Tactical Nuke anyone?

80,000 civilian casualties, anyone?

 

[worlok375]

Tactical Nuke anyone?

80,000 civilian casualties, anyone?

I'll pass. The prince isn't so keen on nukes.

 

[ganons]

really? when they know bin laden aint there they still bombing the country. Saddam had no weapons they still went in. Only extremeists are the american governemnt

The article states why they're doing it. What does Saddam have to do with Afghanistan, and why are you bringing him up? You're blaming the last government's problems on the new government? You sound just like the typical republican. I also was amused that you call our government the only extremeists when the Canadian above you talks about his willingness to shoot people in the face.

If you can't be bothered to read the article or make sense, keep it to yourself.

oh really so america is doing justice? killing half the country where everything is destored they will be liberated? they are getting rid of the drugs?

why dont they do justice in zimbabwe then where the president is corrupt, people beling left right. Wait I know why there is no oil there or profit to be made.

Wake up kid and dont believe your propoganda news

 

[Celice]

No one does anything because they're happy with the way the world is--from war to health. We made things this way, and for some, it gives the meaning in their lives that they seek. They'd rather play in a toybox and ignore the world, even if it means destroying themselves in the process.

Also, America/oil is just as much propaganda as the rest. If it really was about oil, America would be after Nigeria, who, while still small, will have a rather large sum of oil when it comes down to bare necessities. China's already making moves where it counts. Fighting over an area where, at worst bet, the oil can be ruined? Not exactly a primer.

 

[injected11]

really? when they know bin laden aint there they still bombing the country. Saddam had no weapons they still went in. Only extremeists are the american governemnt

The article states why they're doing it. What does Saddam have to do with Afghanistan, and why are you bringing him up? You're blaming the last government's problems on the new government? You sound just like the typical republican. I also was amused that you call our government the only extremeists when the Canadian above you talks about his willingness to shoot people in the face.

If you can't be bothered to read the article or make sense, keep it to yourself.

oh really so america is doing justice? killing half the country where everything is destored they will be liberated? they are getting rid of the drugs?

why dont they do justice in zimbabwe then where the president is corrupt, people beling left right. Wait I know why there is no oil there or profit to be made.

Wake up kid and dont believe your propoganda news

When did I say anything about doing "justice"? And yes, they are eliminating the drugs. The place they are operating in is a huge drug linch-pin. You keep bringing up completely unrelated engagements, most led by the Bush government which I vehemently opposed. Bush was the oil tycoon, by the way. Do you have ANY idea what you're talking about?

Calling people "kid" on the internet just makes you sound like a condescending prick.

 

[ganons]

really? when they know bin laden aint there they still bombing the country. Saddam had no weapons they still went in. Only extremeists are the american governemnt

The article states why they're doing it. What does Saddam have to do with Afghanistan, and why are you bringing him up? You're blaming the last government's problems on the new government? You sound just like the typical republican. I also was amused that you call our government the only extremeists when the Canadian above you talks about his willingness to shoot people in the face.

If you can't be bothered to read the article or make sense, keep it to yourself.

oh really so america is doing justice? killing half the country where everything is destored they will be liberated? they are getting rid of the drugs?

why dont they do justice in zimbabwe then where the president is corrupt, people beling left right. Wait I know why there is no oil there or profit to be made.

Wake up kid and dont believe your propoganda news

When did I say anything about doing "justice"? And yes, they are eliminating the drugs. The place they are operating in is a huge drug linch-pin. You keep bringing up completely unrelated engagements, most led by the Bush government which I vehemently opposed. Bush was the oil tycoon, by the way. Do you have ANY idea what you're talking about?

Calling people "kid" on the internet just makes you sound like a condescending prick.

then what are they achieving if not justice, kid?

 

[zeromac]

War is pointless

Spoiler

not you war

 

[injected11]

then what are they achieving if not justice, kid?

Do I really need to break down the entire article and spoon-feed it to you bit by bit?

Troll elsewhere, senile prick.

 

[ganons]

then what are they achieving if not justice, kid?

Do I really need to break down the entire article and spoon-feed it to you bit by bit?

Troll elsewhere, senile prick.

arrogant retard