And So it Begins. U.S. Marines And Allies Launch Major Offensive In Afghanistan

Working in partnership with Afghan soldiers, U.S. Marines are undertaking a major operation to flush out insurgents and allow the Afghan government to reassert control over an area in southern Afghanistan called Marja. Photo From The Washington Post

U.S. Marines Launch Major Offensive In Afghanistan -- Washington Post

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN -- Thousands of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers traveling in helicopters and mine-resistant vehicles began punching into a key Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan early Saturday, as one of the largest operations to assert government control over this country got underway.

The first wave of Marines and Afghan soldiers swooped into the farming community of Marja at about 2 a.m. Saturday local time (4:30 p.m. Eastern), their CH-53 Super Stallion transport helicopters landing amid clouds of dust on fallow fields. As the troops, weighed down with ammunition and supplies, lumbered out and set up defensive positions, AV-8B Harrier fighter jets and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters circled overhead in the moonless sky.

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More News On The Offensive In Afghanistan

US: Attack on Afghan town Marjah launched -- Yahoo News/AP
NATO launches major Afghanistan offensive -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Assault on Taliban in southern Afghanistan begins: NATO -- Yahoo News/AFP
Coalition Begins Major Afghan Offensive -- New York Times
NATO Launches Offensive in Southern Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Troops start ‘make or break’ assault on the Taleban -- Times Online
U.S., Afghan and NATO Forces Begin Offensive Against Taliban -- FOX News
Nato launches major Afghan assault -- Al Jazeera
Marines launch offensive in southern Afghanistan town -- L.A. Times
U.S., Afghan forces begin assault in Helmand Province -- McClatchy News
U.S. Starts Afghan Surge -- Wall Street Journal
Marjah Marines Begin Taliban Battle -- CBS News
Over 6,000 NATO-led troops take on Taliban in Marjah -- Press TV
A breakdown of NATO forces in Afghan offensive -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: Our prayers are with the soldiers and their families tonight.