Suicide bomber reportedly hits NATO convoy as major offensive continues
February 13th, 2010 - 2:50 pm ICT by BNO NewsKABUL (BNO NEWS) — A suicide bomber reportedly hit a NATO convoy as an Afghan-international force of more than 15,000 soldiers launched a massive assault against insurgents in the country’s Helmand province. The operation is the biggest offensive since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.
The Taliban-held Marjah district in the restive central Helmand province region is home to some of the most serious fighting between the coalition and Taliban. It has also some of the most fertile land in the country. The operation, which had been anticipated for weeks, has been dubbed “Operation Moshtarak” - which is a Dari word for “together.”
A suicide bomber hit a NATO convoy west of the city of Kandahar hours after the offensive begun, NBC News reported. BNO News could not immediately confirm the report.
The goal of Operation Moshtarak is to clear the region of insurgents and set the conditions for the Afghan government to introduce increased security, stability, development, rule of law, freedom of movement and reconstruction. NATO also signaled a clear warning to insurgents who do not accept the government’s offer to reintegrate and join the political process: they will be met with “overwhelming force.”
The military operations, in which NATO said it will take the “strongest of measures” to protect the civilian population, will be followed by the establishment of an Afghan government presence in the cleared areas. “This will be supported by stabilization activity led by the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team,” NATO said.
The combined force of more than 15,000 soldiers includes approximately five brigades of Afghan forces (including members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Border Police and Afghan Gendarmerie) and elements from the NATO-led ISAF Regional Command South.
The US elements from the ISAF force includes members of the 1st Battalion 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion 6th Marines, 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, 4th Battalion 23rd IN Stryker, Combat Engineer Battalion and the Light Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment.
Elements from the UK include members of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group, the 1 Grenadier Guards Battle group, the 1 Royal Welsh Battle group, the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team.
Other elements include the Task Force Pegasus, Task Force Kandahar and service members from Denmark, Estonia and Canada.
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