Operation Moshtarak update for February 16
Soldiers from the Afghan national army relax after a patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. The ANA soldiers and Marines from 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, have been conducting Operation Moshtarak to eliminate Taliban presence and intimidation from the city of Marjah. (USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)
NATO’s Operation Moshtarak site
ANA and Brits take Showal
The national flag of Afghanistan flew over the former Taleban “capital” of Showal yesterday, signaling the end to nearly two years of insurgent rule.
Shortly after dawn, a soldier of the Afghan National Army (ANA), climbed up a 60ft disused crane from which the white flag of the Taleban had flown – the colour is a symbol of their alleged Islamic purity.
Using a knife borrowed from a British soldier, Private Aziz Watandosd cut down the flag and threw it to the small gathering of troops below. He then raised the red, green and black national flag in its place to show that the government of Afghanistan now ruled Showal.
“When I took down the Taleban flag and raised our national flag, I knew it would be a proud and happy day for our people,” he said.
Operation Moshtarak Clearing Phase Continues
The clearing phase of Operation Moshtarak in the center of Afghanistan’s Helmand province continued Feb. 14, with combined Afghan and international forces conducting a number of mounted and dismounted patrols, military officials reported.
Forces have been engaged in periodic small-arms firefights. A number of insurgents have been either killed or detained, officials said, and the combined force has suffered some injuries.
Three successful “shuras†were held with influential community members, and other meetings with Helmand residents also took place.
Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops found improvised explosive devices and enemy weapons stockpiles. In Task Force Helmand, an engineer maneuver group is clearing mine fields and is building a bridge over the Nahr-e Baughra Canal.
The goal of Operation Moshtarak – a Dari word for “together” – is for combined forces and the Helmand provincial reconstruction team to support the Afghan government in asserting its authority in central Helmand and demonstrating its commitment to the people living there, officials said.
Feb. 15: Operation Moshtarak Update
The clearing phase of operation Moshtarak continued yesterday. The combined force continues to face sporadic fire fights. The combined forces have incurred casualties.
A press conference held yesterday in Lashkar Gah included General Abdul Rahim Wardak, Minister of Defense; Mohammed Hanif Atmar, Minister of Interior; Mohammed Gulab Mangal, Governor of Helmand Province; Brigadier-General Sher Mohammad Zazai, ANA 205 Corps commander; and General Stanley McChrystal, ISAF commander.
Gen. Wardak said the objective of Operation Moshtarak is not to kill insurgents, but to provide security, governance and development for the people of Helmand. He called on insurgents to put down their weapons and join the reintegration process. He also said that sufficient security forces will remain following the clearing operation to provide an environment conducive to development.
During the press conference, Minister Atmar provided an update on the tragic incident that occurred Sunday. He indicated according to the initial report insurgents held civilians captive in a compound. The insurgents used this location to deliver accurate, direct fire at combined forces. Not knowing there were civilians present, the combined forces responded using a heavy weapon, resulting in a tragic loss of civilian lives. Minister Atmar said there was a meeting with people in the area and an apology has been made. The village elders voiced their support for the Afghan government.
Gov. Mangal said he appreciated the good coordination between the ANSF and ISAF troops during the operation. He said the government does not currently have control of three (Baghran, Washir and Deshow) out of the 13 districts in Helmand Province, indicating he was optimistic that the government soon would take charge in these areas. He also appealed to insurgents to join the peace process.
Indicating there is still resistance from insurgents in Marjah, Gen. Zazai expressed confidence they will soon be defeated. Local elders in Nad-e Ali have expressed their support for the Afghan government during shuras held in the area, he said.
Gen. McChrystal said the Afghan-led Operation Moshtarak has highlighted a special partnership of which he is very proud. He asked media to watch the bravery of the ANSF and coalition partners, stating he is himself exceptionally proud of how they have performed.
The goal of Moshtarak – Dari for “together” – is for the combined force (ANA, ANP, ISAF and the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team) to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in asserting its authority in central Helmand, thereby demonstrating the government’s commitment to the people living there.
The operation is being conducted at the request of the Afghan government and the governor of Helmand. The security forces involved are serving side-by-side, representing partnership in strength.
ISAF Joint Command – Afghanistan
Table of contents for Marjah
- Intense Fighting in Marjah Afghanistan
- Royal Navy Medic Kate Nesbitt Awarded Military Cross
- Operation Moshtarak continues in Marjah Afghanistan
- Operation Moshtarak update for February 16
- Videos about the Marjah operation – Operation Moshtarak
- Army aviation supports Marines and Afghan Army in Marjah
- Operation Moshtarak gains in Marjah – February 19
- Marjah and Operation Moshtarak update February 21
- Operation Moshtarak in Marjah – update for February 25
- Royal Engineers help rebuild Nad’e Ali
- Operation Moshtarak – Marjah – update for March 3
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Afghan national army soldiers relax
