Britain Hails Success of Bold Offensive in Southern Afghanistan
By VOA News
27 July 2009
Britain is praising the end of a bold offensive against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan, calling the first phase of "Panther's Claw" a success.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the efforts of British forces in Helmand province were "heroic." British troops suffered a dramatic rise in deaths since launching the operation in late June.
British officials say the goal now is to hold the territory along the traditional Taliban stronghold in villages north of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.
At least 20 British troops have been killed since late June, raising doubts at home about the country's involvement in the Afghan war. One-hundred-eight-nine British soldiers have been killed since the U.S.-led mission to oust the Taliban in 2001.
Operation "Panther's Claw" was followed up by a U.S.-led Marine operation in the same region, called "Strike of the Sword." Foreign troops are trying to stabilize regions plagued by insurgent violence ahead of elections in Afghanistan set for August 20.
Meanwhile, Britain's International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander says his government supports talking to Afghan Taliban insurgents and allow those who shun violence to join the political process.
Alexander, who is visiting Afghanistan, told BBC radio it is necessary to put military pressure on the Taliban while at the same time offering a political solution for those willing to renounce violence.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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