Marines, Afghans move to clear out last insurgent pockets in Afghan town

NATO forces move to flush out final resistance

MARJAH, Afghanistan — U.S. Marines and Afghan troops on Thursday faced a slow slog through mined fields as they moved to clear the last pockets of insurgents from the southern Taliban haven of Marjah.

Though there was no enemy gunfire by midmorning, their progress was slowed by difficult terrain with no roads, few tracks and many hidden mines. Several armored vehicles fell into irrigation canals while others were damaged by roadside bombs.

The last couple days have been relatively calm, with limited engagement by insurgents, as troops secured areas they’ve already taken and moved into position to tackle these final insurgents holdouts.

The mass assault in southern Helmand province, with 15,000 NATO and Afghan troops, is the largest military operation in Afghanistan since the ouster of the Taliban regime in 2001. NATO’s strategy is to rout Taliban militants from a town that had served as a logistical base and drug trafficking hub, restore the Afghan government presence, and rush in public services in a bid to win over the confidence of local communities.

A day earlier, more than 100 Marines and their Afghan counterparts began their push into a northern Marjah neighborhood they say is the last significant pocket of Taliban insurgents in town.

About 100 fighters are believed to have regrouped into the 28-square-mile (45-square-kilometer) area known as Kareze, according to commanders with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines Regiment.

“The reports are that it’s where a lot of the bad guys went,” said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, head of Lima Company.

In the past week, Marines have come under heavy fire each time they skirted the zone, and several well-trained snipers have been spotted in the densely protected area, with bunkers and sniper positions.

But instead of the stiff resistance they expected, the troops did not hear a single shot as they moved into the area.

Some Afghans who were fleeing the neighborhood told them that Taliban militants had told them to get out because they were planning a large attack. But others who stayed in their homes said they hadn’t seen a militant in days.

“The last group to come by was three days ago,” elderly Shaiesta Khan said. “I don’t know how many they were because they ordered me back into my house.” The old man said he stayed behind to protect his home while his sons took the rest of the family to safety.

A Marine spokesman said Wednesday was the first day there were no gunbattles inside Marjah, though the previous two days had also been relatively calm.

“It’s promising,” Capt. Abe Sipe said. But he added that fighting will likely spike as the troops move into final pockets of fighters.

“There’s still a fair bit of clearing,” Sipe said. “We by no means think that this over.”