More than 4,000 US marines and 650 Afghan soldiers have launched a major offensive against Taliban strongholds in the southern province of Helmand, according to military sources. The Afghan and US troops descended on the region in helicopters and armored vehicles. NATO planes add strategic support.

‘Operation Khanjar’ (Sword Strike) is the first and most important military operation since the US decided to strengthen its strategy against the Taliban insurgency. Size of contingent and speed of strike are what distinguish ‘Operation Khanjar’ from all other offensives that have so far been launched against the Taliban. The offensive is set to last 36 hours in its first highly aggressive phase.

US president Barack Obama admits that the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan is the main threat to US security.

The goal is to have completely cleared the area of the Helmand river before the presidential elections on August 20. Part of the goal is to protect the civilian population of the region and to restore essential government services rather than launch a hunt against the Taliban.

It is said that US strategy in this operation is based on the belief that the majority of people reject the Taliban in Helmand and prefer the control of the Afghan government. Southern Afghanistan is considered one of the strongholds of the Taliban forces, as well as one of the main production centers of opiates.

At the moment it is unknown whether the joint forces of marines and Afghan soldiers have faced resistance. The commanders had been warned to prepare for suicide attacks, bombings, and ambushes along the roads.

The United States recently announced that 21,000 soldiers will augment the present forces to enhance security during the elections. With this deployment, the total number of soldiers will rise to 68,000 by year end, according to the Pentagon.

Image

Via BBC