KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- In efforts to extend the government's writ in Taliban hotbed Helmand province south of Afghanistan, the Afghan National Army (ANA) and U.S. Marine launched the ever-biggest offensive early Thursday, Afghan senior commander in the region said.
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A U.S. Marine aims his rifle while travelling in a convoy into Taliban-held territory during an assault in the lower Helmand river valley July 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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"Involving thousands of troops, the operation
launched from several directions at 01:00 a.m.(2030GMT) with objective to evict
Taliban from their hideouts and extend government control," commander of 205
Corps in south Afghanistan General Shir Mohammad Zazi told Xinhua.
This operation covers Baba Jee and Spin Masjid areas, in the north of provincial capital Lashkar Gah, and the two districts of Disho and Khanshin where government administration does not exist.
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U.S. soldiers walk along a road in Taliban-held territory in the lower Helmand river valley July 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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In all these operations, General Zazi added that,
hundreds of Afghan army, Afghan police and U.S. Marines are involved to get rid
the areas from Taliban militants ahead of election set for Aug.20.
However, he did not say anything about the outcome,
or how long it would last, adding "the operation aimed at facilitating people to
attend the coming election."
Air and ground forces were both involved in the
operations, the military official further said.
Meantime, spokesman of Helmand provincial
administration Daud Ahmadi in talks with Xinhua described the operation the
ever-biggest one over the past years, saying some 600 Afghan security forces and
4,000 U.S. Marines were jointly attending the ongoing offensive.
Taliban fighters have not made comment so far.
Notorious for poppy growing and militancy, Helmand, is regarded as the hotbed of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan as five districts in the province are said to have been run by the militants.
