This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8129789.stm
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US opens 'major Afghan offensive' | US opens 'major Afghan offensive' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The United States army says it has launched a major offensive against the Taliban in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. | |
| The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops are involved, supported by US warplanes. | The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops are involved, supported by US warplanes. |
| Brigadier General Larry Nicholson, said this operation was different because of its "massive size" and speed. | Brigadier General Larry Nicholson, said this operation was different because of its "massive size" and speed. |
| Officers on the ground said it was the largest marine offensive since Vietnam. | Officers on the ground said it was the largest marine offensive since Vietnam. |
| The operation began when units moved into the Helmand river valley in the early hours of Thursday. | |
| Helicopters and heavy transport vehicles carried out the advance, with Nato planes providing air cover. | |
| Southern Afghanistan is considered a Taliban stronghold. | |
| UK troops are also operating in Helmand, but there has been criticism that British forces have been overstretched and under-resourced. | |
| Last week the commander of UK troops in Afghanistan, General Jim Dutton, denied that the battle against the Taliban was "a losing campaign". |