Afghanistan Operation "Mushtarak" in Marjah - Following News & Links Thread!

So - after weeks of mongering this "Mother of all gunfights" - is now beginning - first line of troops, 400 US Marines, 50 Canadians and 250 Afghan fighters has just move near Marjah in beginning of 15 000 soldiers attack, which has bee sad to be largest attack after beginning of the war in Afghanistan.

- Its excpected to be next Fallujah...

This Thread is up to collect all news and analysis from situation on the ground - more easy to all of us to follow, share information from this Nobel peace winning Obamas first great attack with NATO forces he has send there, as promised in campaign.

- Will it be success or defeat, or just another warcrime like many waits...

Lets open newschannels, clips, hell - if anyone catches any stream... That would be something!

MY FRIENDS! Hello to you all my old friends here in ATS! it has been "quiet" year in warfronts after those terrible 4 weeks of sorrow in Gaza... And Ive also been taken time out from net... Needed that. But sure looks like this year is coming very interresting in many fronts specially in Middle East again!

So - here is my opening links from coming huge "Warlord Obamas First Operation" in Afganistan and in Marjah:

www.associatedcontent.com...

www.gulf-times.com...

www1.voanews.com...

[edit on 9-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

More to come in eve of Mushtarak:

The militants, meanwhile, dug in for a fight, reinforcing their positions with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy weapons, according to witnesses.

www.tehrantimes.com...

The battle for the Afghan town of Marjah has not yet begun, but just about everyone -- NATO forces, Taliban militants and Afghan civilians -- seems to know what's coming. NATO is planning an offensive in the southern Afghan town. Taliban fighters say they are digging in for a fight, and hundreds of civilians are fleeing.

The stakes are high: Marjah is the biggest community in Southern Afghanistan under insurgent control.

www.pri.org...

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan — U.S. and Afghan forces pushed Tuesday to the edge of the southern Afghan town of Marjah, poised to seize the major Taliban supply and drug-smuggling stronghold in hopes of building public support by providing aid and services once the insurgents are gone.

Automatic rifle fire rattled in the distance as the Marines dug in for the night with temperatures below freezing. The occasional thud of mortar shells and the sharp blast of rocket-propelled grenades fired by the Taliban pierced the air.

"They're trying to bait us, don't get sucked in," yelled a Marine sergeant, warning his troops not to venture closer to the town. In the distance, Marines could see farmers and nomads gathering their livestock at sunset, seemingly indifferent to the firing.

www.google.com...

KANDAHAR: The Taliban claimed on Tuesday to have developed a new bomb nicknamed Omar after their leader, which they say is impossible for Western mine sweepers to detect.

www.dailytimes.com.pk...\02\10\story_10-2-2010_pg7_2

[edit on 9-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

British are in too!

Afghanistan says ready if thousands flee assault

British forces have already begun small-scale "shaping" operations in the area around Marjah. The International Committee of the Red Cross said "increasing numbers of war casualties" have already been arriving at a clinic it runs in Marjah.

uk.reuters.com...

First news that full force is out...

NATO launches anti-Taliban operation in Helmand

Thousands of US and NATO-led forces have kicked off their biggest anti-Taliban offensive in the militant-infested southern Afghanistan. Local eyewitnesses told Press TV on Wednesday that heavy smoke is billowing out of the city of Marjah, in the heart of Helmand province. The assault follows earlier reports that US Marines in the region had come under fire from militants armed with sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

www.presstv.ir...

Mythbusting Marjeh

Now that we are, finally, attacking an area we’ve been promising to attack since last October, the media is dutifully reporting on it. And by “reporting,” I really mean “repeating whatever the nearest uniform happens to mumble about it.” Because really, why should anyone there or in the home office check easily checked facts about Afghanistan? What matters is getting the story out, even if most of it is ISAF deliberately trying to spin a specific version of reality. So with that in mind, let’s talk myths!

www.registan.net...

British troops in Afghanistan have been warned of the danger they will face in the days ahead in an eve of battle speech as they prepare for the imminent offensive against Taliban strongholds.

Speaking in front of 600 troops from the Royal Welsh Lt Col Nick Lock, the battle group's commanding officer told his men that they were embarking on "a historic mission" as they wait for Operation Moshtarak to begin.

www.telegraph.co.uk...

[edit on 10-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

Afghan and NATO troops prepare for assault on town

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan (AP) — The preparations continue for what's expected to be a U.S. and Afghan attack on the biggest town in southern Afghanistan that's held by militants.

Marines today fired smoke rounds, and armored vehicles maneuvered close to Taliban positions as a way of testing insurgent defenses. Marines did draw some small-arms fire but suffered no casualties.

A NATO spokesman has called on Taliban militants holding the town to surrender.

www.9and10news.com...

Taliban, Marines exchange fire as battle looms

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan -- U.S. Marines and Taliban insurgents exchanged gunfire Thursday on the outskirts of Marjah, a southern militant stronghold where American and Afghan forces are expected to launch a major attack in the coming days.

To the north, a U.S.-Afghan force led by the U.S. Army's 5th Stryker Brigade linked up with Marines on Thursday, closing off a Taliban escape route to the nearby major city of Lashkar Gah.

www.washingtonpost.com...

Its very suprising, that I seems to be only interrested from Operation Mushtarak here in ATS, which is largest armed assault in Afghanistan War so far... But I keep sending news.

Its on! - 15 000+ forces are moving toward "stronghold" of Taleban, which easily can change to quagmire, field of death and traps and warcrime, which can compare to happenings in Fallujah.

I am very interrested from news 24/7, and hell - even my country is not fighting there - so where is your interresting here from British, US and Canadians?

Get out of the way

FOR months now United States Marines in Helmand, Afghanistan’s bloodiest province, have been sporting T-shirts proclaiming their intention: “Just do Marja”. This refers to a cluster of Taliban-controlled villages close to Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital. Marja’s lawlessness and the protection it affords to insurgents and drug-traffickers has been frustrating the marines’ efforts nearby. The T-shirt wearers are about to get their wish. American forces, led by the marines, are preparing a big operation to clear the area.

www.economist.com...

reply to post by JanusFIN

S&F for you JanusFIN, Have been watching for news of this military operation all day now but everyone is focused on the Iranian issues at the moment, (deflection) so a well done mate for your thread. I will be watching closely for updates.. Thanks.

reply to post by foxhoundone


Timing is everything, and they do also know that - public eye is always at one direction at a time - thats why we must look, not only to center of focus, but all fronts to understand the big picture.

Opposition clashes in Iran are staged to happen simultaniously today with afghanistan attack - Timing with Irans clashes - Afghanistan operation gets now good momentum without worlds condemnation and focus, no matter what is the cost of winning in sivilian casualties.

These moments are crucial also to find out real alarms and progress:
- Caucasus
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Iraq...

Large happenings in media makes always a fog for anothers to happen. lets not fall to that easy trap.

US and Afghan troops ring Taliban stronghold

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan -- U.S. and Afghan forces ringed the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war.

Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack.

www.forbes.com...


This US "Assault Breacher" anti-mine tank is first time in combat at Helmland offensive, op Mushtarak: (VIDEO)

Meet the Assault Breacher: The U.S. Marines' pants-crappingly terrifying new combat vehicle

network.nationalpost.com...


[edit on 11-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

A GO, GO - GO!?!

NATO launches major Afghanistan offensive-witness

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) - U.S.-led NATO troops launched an offensive on Saturday designed to seize control of the Taliban's last big stronghold in Afghanistan's most violent province, a Reuters witness said.

uk.reuters.com...

FACTBOX-Five facts about Marjah district, Helmand

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Thousands of U.S. Marines, British soldiers and Afghan troops on Saturday launched a major offensive on Marjah and the surrounding district, described as the last Taliban stronghold in Helmand province, Afghanistan's most violent.

The assault was billed as one of the biggest of the eight-year-old war and a decisive test of U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy of dispatching 30,000 extra troops to turn the tide on the battlefield.

Here are five facts about Marjah:

www.alertnet.org...

[edit on 12-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

Confirmed - Fight is on!

Attack on Taliban Stronghold Begins

MARJA, Afghanistan — Thousands of American, Afghan and British troops attacked the watery Taliban fortress of Marja early Friday, moving on foot, in trucks and through the air to destroy the insurgency’s largest haven and begin a campaign to reassert the dominance of the Afghan government in a large swath of southern Afghanistan.

The force of about 6,000 marines and soldiers — a majority of them Afghan — began moving into the city and environs before dawn. .

As marines and soldiers marched into the area, several hundred more swooped out of the sky in helicopters into Marja itself. There did not appear to be any resistance, though a ground assault with more soldiers concentrated within the city was expected to begin within hours.

“The message for the Taliban is: It will be easy, or it will be hard, but we are coming,” Brig. Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of the United States Marines in Helmand Province, told the men of Company K, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines before the operation began. “At the end of the day, the Afghan flag will be over Marja.”

www.nytimes.com...

Assault on Taliban in southern Afghanistan begins: NATO

"Reports that the offensive has begun are not incorrect," said the official, who asked not to be named.

www.google.com...

[edit on 12-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

Marjah Marines Begin Taliban Battle

In the no-man's land surrounding Marjah, Marines check it before they cross to make sure it hasn't been booby trapped. Armored vehicles called "breachers" are sent in first. These mine-clearing machines spread out a string of explosives and set them off, detonating any other bombs the Taliban may have placed along this route.

he Marines have had the enemy in their sights for days and occasionally they have exchanged fire. They know that they are about to enter a very dangerous city.

The military believes around 400 to a 1,000 hard-core Taliban fighters are holed up inside Marjah and they've had plenty of time to prepare for the fight, so the coalition is going in with overwhelming force. Thousands of Allied and Afghan troops have Marjah surrounded and these Marines are going to be leading the charge. Their commander says they're ready.

"They have a great battle plan and those leaders all the way from the NCO to the young captain will defiantly make a difference and we'll definitely be successful," said Lt. Col. Brian Christmas.

But winning the battle is only the first step. The key to victory here is to maintain control of the city for the long term, which is why the Marines are already reaching out to the local population.

"If you know where the Taliban are, you need to tell us," Christmas told local elders.

www.cbsnews.com...

U.S., Afghan forces begin assault in Helmand Province

www.mcclatchydc.com...

Where war goes, propaganda follows

pakobserver.net...

Reporting from The Outskirts Of Marja, Afghanistan - The Marines of Charlie Company had just landed outside Marja and were itching for the fight with the Taliban when they learned that a group of Afghans with shovels and wheelbarrows were digging holes in the road nearby.

Were they planting explosives? You could never be certain, but the reconnaissance drones overhead thought so. Approval was given to fire a rocket at the men. The rocket strike caused a thunderous explosion. The men dug their holes no more.

"It was pretty motivating," said Cpl. Jonathan Lee, 30, of Orange Park, Fla.

www.latimes.com...



[edit on 12-2-2010 by JanusFIN]

British troops head into the 'heart of darkness' as biggest Afghanistan offensive begins

'It is bloody dangerous out there' but he added 'this is what you have been trained for'.

'I repeat: much of this operation rests on us.

'Most important, we have thousands of Afghan soldiers with us, as our allies. We will work together to deliver a better future for the people of Helmand and Afghanistan. They are the prize.'

His words were reminiscent of the famous eve-of-battle speech by Colonel Tim Collins to British troops in Kuwait hours before he led them over the border into Iraq to attack Sadam Hussein's forces in March 2003.

www.dailymail.co.uk...

* Helicopters ferry troops into Marjah

* Taliban says thousands of fighters ready

* Civilian safety crucial

www.alertnet.org...

Thanks for bringing all this to our attention.. Keep the updates comin'!

2nd

Taliban killed in Helmand during fighting in massive Operation Moshtarak

Five Taliban fighters were killed during fighting in the last major Taliban stronghold in Helmand province on Saturday, after thousands of British and American troops attacked in the early hours.

An armada of helicopters ferried troops into the Marjah area of Nad-e-Ali district before dawn, and soldiers quickly engaged in sporadic firefights with waiting gunmen.

The operation, in a district which has become a hub of insurgent fighters, bomb-makers and opium-growers, has been described as the biggest of the war in Afghanistan.

Commanders said the force was making good progress against hundreds of Taliban fighters.

By noon on Saturday, Afghan generals said five Taliban fighters had been killed and eight more arrested without any casualties being suffered by the Nato or Afghan government forces. But Nato commanders have warned that there would "definitely be casualties" in the coming days.

www.telegraph.co.uk...

War is on -

Ten Afghan civilians killed in 'anti-Taliban' offensive

Ten civilians have been killed during a major US-led military offensive against militants in southern Afghanistan.

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai is deeply saddened by the death of ten civilians when a rocket hit a civilian house during the military operation," said a Sunday statement by the president's office, according to AFP.

"The president has ordered an investigation into this incident," the statement added.

www.presstv.com...

Hawkish Cheney backs Obama's Afghan war effort

www.presstv.com...

US Rockets Kill 12 Civilians in Helmand Province

NATO Suspends Use of Artillery System Pending Review. NATO officials confirmed today that an incident involving US troops has left at least 12 Afghan civilians killed. The US troops say they fired rockets at suspected militants, but missed and hit a crowd of civilians 300 meters away.

news.antiwar.com...

U.S. and Afghan Troops Expand Control in Marjah

MARJAH, Afghanistan—Taliban insurgents tried to overrun a U.S. Marine outpost with a combination of rocket-propelled grenades and suicide bombers in a brazen attack just after sundown on Sunday.

The Marines and Afghan soldiers fended off the assault, shooting the suicide attackers before they had a chance to detonate their weapons.

The attack took place on the second day of a major offensive to wrest control of this town of 75,000 people from the Taliban insurgents who have dominated it for years.

Also on Sunday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said that coalition rockets missed their intended target and killed 12 Afghan civilians.

online.wsj.com...

Interresting look to "other sides" media - Mujahidees tells a different story in here:

This page is updated throughout the day as new operations are reported.

theunjustmedia.com...

Caught in the open: a firefight with the Taliban

BADULA QULP, Afghanistan — "Medic!" Bullets cracked through the dry grass. "Medic!"

"Who's hit?" someone yelled. The American soldiers were pinned down in a ditch Sunday, bodies prone in the mud.

"I don't know!" another voice shouted in the din of gunfire.

A U.S. soldier was down, shot in the chest by an insurgent near the besieged Taliban stronghold of Marjah. A Canadian soldier in the same patrol took a bullet in the front of his helmet, right where the center of his forehead was, like a bull's-eye. He was stunned, but unhurt.

Where were the insurgents shooting from? Which of the mud-walled compounds up ahead?

The firefight in the Badula Qulp region of Helmand province lasted about 45 minutes and tapered off after a Cobra helicopter shot a Hellfire missile into the building where the Taliban were believed hiding. Soldiers said they found the body of one suspected insurgent and heard another may have been buried quickly

It was a small skirmish in the grand scheme of the Afghan war. The focus of the fighting was to the southwest in Marjah, where U.S. Marines launched an offensive a day earlier.

www.google.com...

Marjah battle as tough as Fallujah, say US troops

Thousands of US and Afghan troops ground their way towards the center of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah today despite encountering fierce sniper fire and even greater numbers of home-made bombs, booby traps, and minefields than anticipated.

US Marines raised an Afghan flag inside the town limits but pockets of Taliban militants dug in, with some veterans comparing the intensity of the fighting to that encountered when they stormed the Iraqi city of Fallujah in 2005.

"In Fallujah, it was just as intense. But there, we started from the north and worked down to the south. In Marjah, we're coming in from different locations and working toward the centre, so we're taking fire from all angles," Captain Ryan Sparks told Reuters.

www.csmonitor.com...