Posted on 02/13/2010 11:18:23 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
.S. Marines and Afghan forces airlifted over the Taliban -laid minefields into the center of Marjah town Saturday, apparently surprising the insurgents and taking strategic positions from them, according to military officials.
Although billed as a major confrontation between the international coalition and Afghan forces and the Taliban , the first day of the offensive in the southern Helmand province saw only sporadic fighting. Two coalition soldiers were killed, along with about 20 insurgents. It was the biggest assault since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.
The helicopter airlift into the heart of the city of 80,000 started around 2 a.m. and allowed the troops to quickly establish 11 posts throughout Marjah, while the bulk of the 15,000-man force carefully picked its way overland.
The operation had been deliberately telegraphed in advance for weeks but the military tactics still seem to have surprised the enemy.
"We appear to have caught the insurgents on the hop. He appears to be completely dislocated," Major General Nick Carter , the British officer who is in charge of operations in south Afghanistan , told reporters at his base in Kandahar . "I'm much encouraged by the way things are going but I'm also conscious that this is only the end of the beginning."
Marjah is the last Taliban stronghold in Helmand and also the hub for a thriving heroin business in the province, which fuels the insurgents.
The U.S.-led NATO offensive, called Moshtarak, which means "together," is a joint operation between the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan army. It is designed to showcase both Afghan capability and the coalition's new approach to the war.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
LOL - Way to go Marines! Hoo Rah!
I would have to think that this is because the enemy was a commited realist, basing his judgements on the behavior of his antagonist. He did not take seriously our smoldering threats and intentions, and was perforce surprised when they actually ignited.
You see Achmed, they will have to come through that valley and the mine field we have set will slow them down. Then, we can shoot at them from behind our entrenched positions.
That is great Mohammed, where did you learn this?
Soviet guide to warfare, siege of Stalingrad.
Uh, Achmed... did they have helicopters during the siege of Stalingrad?
No, why? What is that noise?
They’re being overwhelmed. 15 to 1? That’s fair :)
How many of the enemy are known dead (KIA). That, and that the surge was successful, is all I want to know.
They brag about doing things they can't do and assume we do the same. (Supersonic torpedos, prop driven stealth seaplane, photoshopped missile launchs, etc.)
The enemy must be easily surprised. Keep up the good work guys!!!
Camel humpers are not strategic thinkers... who knew!?
LLS
They didn't figure 0bama would attack fellow Muslimes? Maybe the MA election is having more effect than I realized.
2 AM... Goooood Morning marjah!!
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