NATO/Afghan Offensive in Helmand Province shows new strategy and tactics.

[grantcart]

NATO/Afghan forces started the largest offensive since 2001 on Saturday aimed at the largest city that the Taliban has under control.

Major differences in strategy;

1) The basic strategy of the campaign was developed by the Afghan Army and is designed not simply at engineering a military victory but establishing a transition to Afghan control of the city of Marjah, population 75,000.

2) Rather than launching a "shock and awe" campaign that maximizes air attacks and causes the greatest panic among civilian population the allied forces deliberately announced its strategy in advance and dropped leaflets letting the population, and the Taliban, know exactly what was coming. They also have established radio stations on the edge of Marjah to keep the civilian population informed.

3) Tribal elders in Marjah appear to be already assisting the allies:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704431404575066953058959716.html?mod=WSJ-hpp-MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird

One of the most publicized initiatives to win over the local population has been the convening of a "shura"—a traditional Afghan council—of Marjah tribal elders since just before the shooting began.

That effort appeared to be yielding a return Monday when 10 men offered up by the shura began working as guides to help allied forces find bombs planted by the insurgents and to find Taliban fighters who have melted back into the population.

4) Taliban continue to use civilian shields to take advantage of NATO/Afghan rules of engagement:

The insurgents appeared to be trying to take advantage of the allied rules of engagement. On Monday, Marines spotted 10 or so fighters approaching the Pork Chop area, with women and children carrying their weapons in bundles.

"They have weapons caches in mosques," said Lt. Greenlief.

The Marines requested an airstrike to hit them after the women and children had left. They were first denied permission by their commanders because of the Taliban fighters' proximity to structures that might contain civilians. When the Marines did get permission, the first attack plane malfunctioned and had to call off the strike.

Finally, the Marines sent out a unit to try to ambush the insurgents as they moved. The tactic forced the fighters into the open, and a Marine jet strafed them, apparently killing nine.

5) The capture of Mullah Baradar, the operational commander of the Taliban in Pakistan on the eve of the large offensive seems to signal that increased Pakistan cooperation will help to cause confusion among the Taliban at a time of maximum impact.

6) Taliban forces appear to prepare to leave after slowing down the offensive with IED booby traps:

Intelligence reports indicate the few hundred insurgents who are still fighting the thousands of U.S, Afghan and British troops in and around Marjah are low on food and ammunition.

Marines in the city also reported that a midlevel Taliban commander had arrived in recent days with orders from Taliban elders in Pakistan to evacuate fighters who could escape. To evade the allied cordon around the town, some insurgents were donning the head-to-toe burkhas worn by Afghan women, the reports said.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Different strategy ultimately means different results......

That's what is happening, even if most won't admit it.

[grantcart]

3. It is becoming increasingly obvious that Al Queda and the Talilban

are in an increasing state of confusion.

Two big events - Obviously the Christmas day bomber's family was able to convince this guy to tell every detail and operations in Yemen have been completely disrupted.

The capture of Baradar in Pakistan on the eve of the offensive shows that Pakistan is now 'all in' in a united fight.


These two events are a direct line from Obama's statement on the closing of Gitmo, and his less hostile approach to allies. Ironic doesn't really even reach it but the Macho Republican response in the US shows exactly how counterproductive the approach is.

More irony is that as Islamic countries see how idiotic the Republican response is the more they want to cooperate and help Obama win leading to even more successes.

[vaberella]

4. You know I agree with you...but many on DU have said otherwise.

Republicans as of late have either been completely ignoring the success of the President on foreign policy, saying he's just like Bush and rewriting history on it, or just not even broaching the topic all together to say he's setting Republicans up for a trap.

[Oregone]

2. "was developed by the Afghan Army"

I thought they were going by the name "Hashish Army".

Wow. Pretty wicked that they woke up one day and developed an amazing strategy instead of just eating Cheetos all day.

Right.