Marines Seize Marjah Taliban HQ

Elite squads dropped behind Taliban lines as offensive continues

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2010 7:02 PM CST

(Newser) – US Marines seized a compound that appears to have been the Taliban's Marjah headquarters after a fierce gunfight Friday. The compound just south of the town center contained dozens of Taliban-issued ID cards and diplomas from a Taliban training camp in Pakistan, the AP reports. Small groups of fighters abandoned bunkers and fled as the Marines closed in.

The offensive, now entering its second week, has claimed the lives of at least 12 NATO troops, incuding 8 Americans, and one Afghan soldier. Marine officers estimate 120 Taliban fighters have been killed. Helicopters dropped two dozen elite Marine snipers in the area early today to take out the Taliban marksmen who have been working with militants springing ambushes. Commanders believe it could be the operation will take another 25 to 30 days.

US Marines from 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment patrol in Marjah yesterday. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

Afghan National Army soldiers detain a suspected Taliban fighter in Marjah. (AP Photo/Jerome Starkey/Pool)

US Marines, followed by Afghan soldiers, walk in Marjah, Helmand province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaleq)

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Marines Seize Marjah Taliban HQ

Elite squads dropped behind Taliban lines as offensive continues

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Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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Elite squads dropped behind Taliban lines as offensive continues

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Taliban • US military • Afghanistan war • Marines • Operation Moshtarak • Marjah

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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Newser By Users

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