Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 7, 2010

U.S. Army soldiers wait for a CH-47 Chinook helicopter after searching multiple caves alongside Afghan soldiers during Operation Wawraa Tufaan in Zanbar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Alexander

Afghanistan: 4,000 British Troops Set For Biggest Battle With Taliban -- The Telegraph

Four thousand British troops are preparing to take part in the largest military offensive against the Taliban since the Afghanistan invasion in 2001.

The strike force, composed of British, US and Afghan troops, will storm into some of the most dangerous areas of central Helmand in a series of daring raids — the biggest since the first Gulf war — as part of Operation Moshtarak.

The offensive, the start date of which is being kept secret, will dwarf last summer’s Operation Panther’s Claw in which 10 British soldiers were killed and more than 100 injured.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Planned Afghan assault to send 'strong signal': McChrystal -- Yahoo News/AFP
Afghans flee ahead of major anti-Taliban offensive -- AFP
Special forces assassins infiltrate Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan -- Times Online
UK forces prepare for biggest Afghan offensive since 2001 -- The Independent
British soldiers in Afghanistan prepare for 'last roll of dice' battle against Taliban -- The Telegraph
US plans big attack on Taliban's Marjah despite large Afghan population -- World Bulletin
Canadians help pave way for looming Helmand offensive -- Globe And Mail
US offensive aims to turn page in Afghan war -- Washington Post
Afghan Force Faces Crucial Test in Marja -- Los Angeles Times
Afghanistan's NATO head: Military push needs gov't -- Yahoo News/AP

Sixteen Taliban killed in Afghanistan -- UPI
Four Afghan police killed in bombing -- AFP
Afghan Police Kill 7 Mistaken for Insurgents -- New York Times
7 Civilians Killed in Afghan Border Police Mistake -- Voice of America

US not in direct contact with Taliban: Holbrooke -- Yahoo News/AFP
Afghan leader eyes return to conscript army -- Yahoo News/AFP
Karzai: Afghanistan may institute conscription -- Washington Post/AP
Karzai demands halt to Afghan civilian casualties -- Reuters

Taliban rejects Afghanistan's attempt to negotiate -- CCTV
Taliban rejects Karzai's offer -- Al Jazeera
Taliban reject Karzai's "reconciliation" offer -- Press TV

The Afghanistan Armor Airlift -- Strategy Page
Gates Pledges Mine-resistant Vehicles to Allies -- US Department of Defense
U.S. Military Equipment to Go to Allies -- Los Angeles Times
Taliban use modern anti-detective IEDs -- Tehran Times
Afghan police official accused of helping insurgents make bombs -- L.A. Times
US troops detain Afghan police chief: official, NATO -- AFP
NATO arrests Afghan police official accused of helping place bombs, officials say -- Canadian Press

Fallujah In Afghanistan -- Strategy Page
Afghanistan: Will gains be lost? -- Olivia Ward, Toronto Star