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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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 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 Nato planes. | |
| Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said the operation was different from previous ones because of its "massive size of the force" and its 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. | 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. | Helicopters and heavy transport vehicles carried out the advance, with Nato planes providing air cover. |
| Security aim | |
| Southern Afghanistan is considered a Taliban stronghold. | Southern Afghanistan is considered a Taliban stronghold. |
| "Where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces," said Brig Gen Nicholson in a statement. | |
| UK troops are also operating in Helmand, but there has been criticism that British forces have been overstretched and under-resourced. | 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". | Last week the commander of UK troops in Afghanistan, General Jim Dutton, denied that the battle against the Taliban was "a losing campaign". |