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Marines Launch Large Attack in S. Afghanistan

'Cobra's Anger' aims to disrupt flow of IEDs in Helmand province

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 4, 2009 1:02 PM CST

(AP) – US Marines and Afghan troops today launched the first offensive since President Obama announced an American troop surge, striking against Taliban communications and supply lines in a southern insurgent stronghold. In all, about 1,000 Marines as well as Afghan troops were taking part in the operation in Helmand provvince, known as "Cobra's Anger," designed to disrupt supply lines providing explosives for IEDs.

Hundreds of troops were dropped by helicopter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft behind Taliban lines in the northern end of the Now Zad Valley, scene of heavy fighting last summer. An official says it was the first use of Ospreys, which combine features of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, in an offensive involving units larger than platoons. A second, larger force pushed northward from the Marines' Forward Operating Base in the town of Now Zad.

Marines on patrol today in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, today.
Marines on patrol today in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, today.   (AP Photo)
US Marines with Alpha Company -Task Force Raider, 2nd Recon Battalion, board a helicopter en route to a mission in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.
US Marines with Alpha Company -Task Force Raider, 2nd Recon Battalion, board a helicopter en route to a mission in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Tariq
Jan 11, 2010 12:52 PM CST
How dumb can they get, Taliban r gonna av some fun kickin Americano ass, bwoy r they gonna get it !!!
DieselDawg
Dec 6, 2009 1:53 AM CST
It's war, there are no winners or losers" Tell that to Germans and Japanese
AdaptAndOvercome
Dec 5, 2009 2:24 AM CST
It's war, there are no winners or losers. But it's time that the U.S. took control of the area that should have been done under the Bush administration, but the Bush's and Bin Laden's have been friends for decades, so we all knew that wouldn't happen. Now we have a President who is actually looking at all sides of this mess and doing what needs to be done so we can get the hell out of there.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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