thedrifter
04-11-08, 04:46 AM
US marines say they have begun operations in Afghanistan
Thu Apr 10, 1:41 PM ET
More than 2,000 US marines recently deployed in Afghanistan to support a NATO-led military campaign against Islamic rebels have began operations in the country's restive south, the unit said Thursday.
The 2,300-strong US Marine Expeditionary Unit was part of Washington's recent contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) efforts to quell a resurgent Taliban insurgency.
"The last of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Marines and Sailors are arriving and the unit is beginning operations after weeks of flowing personnel and equipment here," the unit said in a statement.
"The Marines have begun their operations in (southern Afghanistan) in support of and with their Afghanistan international partners," it said, referring to ISAF forces deployed there.
Southern Afghanistan sees much of an ongoing insurgency being waged by remnants of the Taliban, which was toppled from government in a US-led invasion in late 2001.
The insurgency, which includes suicide bombings and is said to be supported by Al-Qaeda terror network, has increased especially in the country's south and east in the past two years.
The spike in violence in recent years has prompted NATO commanders to call for reinforcements.
The Marine force can "conduct full-spectrum operations from humanitarian assistance missions to combat operations," the statement said.
With France publicly announcing a reinforcement of 700 fresh troops, NATO pledged to send nearly 2,000 additional soldiers to support the alliance force's operation in Afghanistan this month.
Ellie
Thu Apr 10, 1:41 PM ET
More than 2,000 US marines recently deployed in Afghanistan to support a NATO-led military campaign against Islamic rebels have began operations in the country's restive south, the unit said Thursday.
The 2,300-strong US Marine Expeditionary Unit was part of Washington's recent contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) efforts to quell a resurgent Taliban insurgency.
"The last of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Marines and Sailors are arriving and the unit is beginning operations after weeks of flowing personnel and equipment here," the unit said in a statement.
"The Marines have begun their operations in (southern Afghanistan) in support of and with their Afghanistan international partners," it said, referring to ISAF forces deployed there.
Southern Afghanistan sees much of an ongoing insurgency being waged by remnants of the Taliban, which was toppled from government in a US-led invasion in late 2001.
The insurgency, which includes suicide bombings and is said to be supported by Al-Qaeda terror network, has increased especially in the country's south and east in the past two years.
The spike in violence in recent years has prompted NATO commanders to call for reinforcements.
The Marine force can "conduct full-spectrum operations from humanitarian assistance missions to combat operations," the statement said.
With France publicly announcing a reinforcement of 700 fresh troops, NATO pledged to send nearly 2,000 additional soldiers to support the alliance force's operation in Afghanistan this month.
Ellie