AFGHAN OFFENSIVE ‘AIMED TO SHAPE U.S. OPINION OF WAR’
Battle for Marja not only militarily significant Story Highlights MARJA, AFGHANISTAN — The Afghan official responsible for governing Marja paid his first visit to this strife-torn community Monday, imploring residents to forsake the Taliban and promising employment programs as an inducement for local men to put down their weapons. Greg Jaffe and Craig Whitlock, both…
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…