U.S. Army closes in on south Afghan town

U.S. Army soldiers launch preliminary operation Tuesday in support of a planned U.S.-Afghan attack on the largest Taliban-controlled town in southern Afghanistan STORY IN DEPTH NATO and Afghan officials, meanwhile, urged militants holding Marjah, where an offensive is expected, to lay down their arms and warned civilians there to “keep your heads down.” About 400…

Afghan crossroads

February 3rd, 2010 07:41 AM ET KABUL, Afghanistan  – The next key U.S. military operation in Afghanistan will focus on Marjah, the last major Taliban stronghold in Helmand province, a Marine commander said Wednesday. Col. George Amland, the deputy commander of Task Force Leatherneck, gave no timeframe for its start. Marjah, with a population of up…