U.S., Afghan troops in new offensive

A massive wave of U.S. and Afghan troops poured into Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan early Thursday. It launched the first major operation under U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy to stabilize the country. U.S., Afghan troops in new offensive "Operation Khanjar" (Strike of the Sword) began before dawn when about 4,000 Marines and 650 Afghan police started moving into the lower Helmand River valley in armored convoys and helicopters. A U.S. military official said the goal is to keep the U.S. and Afghan troops in area in order to flush out insurgents and maintain security ahead of an August 20 presidential vote. Marine Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said troops will build outposts in towns and villages where they will live among the people. Nicholson said in a statement the ultimate goal is the "transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces". The operation is the largest and fastest-moving so far under Obama's revamped strategy in Afghanistan. Helmand province produces the largest share of the country's opium crop, which supplies 90 percent of the world's heroin. The illicit drug trade provides a key source of revenue for Taliban insurgents.

U.S., Afghan troops in new offensive

"Operation Khanjar" (Strike of the Sword) began before dawn when about 4,000 Marines and 650 Afghan police started moving into the lower Helmand River valley in armored convoys and helicopters.

A U.S. military official said the goal is to keep the U.S. and Afghan troops in area in order to flush out insurgents and maintain security ahead of an August 20 presidential vote.

Marine Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said troops will build outposts in towns and villages where they will live among the people. Nicholson said in a statement the ultimate goal is the "transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces".

The operation is the largest and fastest-moving so far under Obama's revamped strategy in Afghanistan.

Helmand province produces the largest share of the country's opium crop, which supplies 90 percent of the world's heroin.

The illicit drug trade provides a key source of revenue for Taliban insurgents.