NATO starts major offensive in Afghanistan

KABUL - US, British and Afghan troops launched their long-expected major offensive early Saturday in the centre of Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold, in a bid to establish the Afghan government’s rule over the country, according to US media reports.

A force of about 6,000 marines and soldiers - most of them Afghan - kicked off the offensive before dawn, targetting the Taliban fortress of Marja on foot, in trucks and through the air, the New York Times reported.

The offensive, codenamed Moshtareq (the Dari word for “together”), is the first major operation under the new doctrine of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is aimed at backing up military power with a strong civilian follow-through.

All told, 15,000 soldiers are to be involved in the offensive, ISAF said - the largest offensive since the American-led coalition invaded Afghanistan in October 2001.

In December, US President Barack Obama increased the US troop commitment by another 30,000, bringing the US presence to 98,000, in an effort to reverse gains by the Taliban in recent years and turn around the sharply deteriorating security environment.

Other NATO countries have contributed about 30,000 soldiers and were expected to be sending another 5,000 after Obama’s decision to increase US troop strength.

The offensive puts major emphasis on Afghan involvement and governance, to extend the Afghan government’s authority in the region, which is a main centre for the illegal poppy-growing industry, ISAF officials have said.

The assault was expected and contrary to usual military doctrine, the ISAF leaders announced it well in advance so as to warn the Afghan population.

“The message for the Taliban is: It will be easy, or it will be hard, but we are coming,” Brigadier General John Nicholson, commander of the US Marines in Halmand Province, said recently, according to the Times. “At the end of the day, the Afghan flag will be over Marja.”

On Friday, Afghan and international forces dropped leaflets warning people not to give shelter to the Taliban, CNN reported. “Do not allow the Taliban to enter your home,” the leaflets said, according to Daud Ahmadi, the spokesman of Helmand province.

“The aims of this operation are very clear and there is no reason to hide them … The aim of the operation is also to make a point that the Afghan government can establish its authority whenever and wherever it wants,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai said in Brussels on Wednesday.

“The success of this operation will not be in the military phase, it will be in the weeks and months to come, as the people of central Helmand feel the benefits of security, better governance, justice and economic opportunities,” he said.

The idea of announcing the assault in advance has split commentators, with some seeing it as an open invitation to the Taliban to leave the area - or to set up extra defences.

“Civilians needed to be warned … There has been no ultimatum to the Taliban. They can put down their guns, they can leave or they can fight,” Appathurai said.