NATO, Afghan Troops Launch Major Offensive
VOA News 04 December 2009
The U.S. military says more than 1,000 NATO troops, mostly from the United States, have launched a major offensive against a key Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.
Military officials say Afghan forces are also participating in the operation in Helmand province.
The operation comes three days after President Barack Obama promised to deploy an extra 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Mr. Obama said the additional troops will help accelerate the transfer of security responsibility to Afghan forces and allow U.S. forces to begin leaving the country by July 2011.
Most of the new troops are expected to be sent to the south, where Taliban influence is strong.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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