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Summary
At least five Taliban have been killed so far in the fighting. Helicopter-borne forces are attacking the Taliban-held districts of Marjah in a bid to re-establish government control.The assault is the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001,. Dozens of helicopters flew from south of Marjah and the first objective of US Marines was expected to be taking over the town center, a large cluster of dwellings. The US military said about 4,500 US Marines, 1,500 Afghan troops and 300 US soldiers were taking part in the offensive in Marjah district. One local Taliban commander, Qari Fazluddin, told earlier that some 2,000 fighters were ready to fight in the densely-populated area. The safety of civilians may be the vital issue for NATO in one of the eight-year-old war's biggest offensives against the Taliban, which have re-emerged as a powerful fighting force since they were toppled by a US led invasion in 2001. Any heavy civilian casualties would make it even more difficult for the American-backed Afghan government to win support in towns that have been held by Taliban insurgents. NATO forces have decided to advise civilians not to leave their homes, although they have said they do not know whether the assault will lead to heavy fighting. Most of the population of the area, estimated at up to 100,000, has stayed put. Unlike previous military operations, the assault on Marjah has been widely flagged for months. Commanders say they hope this will persuade many fighters to lay down their arms or flee, reducing the eventual body count. Residents have been afraid to leave their homes in fear of roadside bombs planted by the Taliban to slow the US advance.Coalition forces believe probably the definitive operation, says Rustam ShahAnalyst Rushtam Shah while talking to Dunya News said that the Coalition forces want to make 2010 a deciding year for the Afghan war. Operation at Helmand is first big operation attempt to end the Afghan war. Helmand is a core center for the Taliban and the operation has been launched from the area of Marjah. At least 80,000 people have been displaced from the area due to the operation. Helmand operation is a hint from the coalition forces that it would conduct operations in other areas as well. The Taliban are not adding any extra weight age to the operation and are fighting it like a routine offensive. The Taliban would begin retaliation after NATO forces to take control of the region. Due to the operation the option of dialogue with the Taliban no longer remains. A dialogue may still be possible with those Taliban who would not take part in the fighting. The operation is expected to be completed in couple of weeks.Coalition forces want to weaken the Taliban before dialouge, says Talat Masood Senior Defense Analyst Lt.Gen (R) Talat Masood speaking to Dunya News said that the Coalition forces want to drive the Taliban on the back foot. He said that it will not be easy to fight the Taliban in Helmand region as the Taliban have strong control in the area. He also said that the Americans want to weaken the Taliban influence before a starting a dialogue with them.
