Marines Seize Key Police Headquarters in Afghan Offensive, CNN, 16 February 2010

EXCERPT: "U.S. Marines fighting the Taliban in southern Afghanistan achieved a main objective Tuesday- taking over the police headquarters in the center of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah. CNN correspondent Atia Abawi, embedded with the Marines, said troops didn't receive any resistance when they took the station, but gun battles broke out in the area a few hours later. There was an engagement for 15 to 20 minutes, with constant gunfire coming different directions, and there have been 'sporadic battles', Abawi said. Unlike previous days, there was fighting in the evening, with Taliban militants trying to attack Marine locations with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. One of the grenades hit close to one of the U.S. positions and a fire broke out. About 15,00 Afghan and NATO forces are taking part in Operation Moshtarak, which focuses on the town of Marjah and surrounding areas in Helmand province."

Read the full story.

Related articles:
, The Associated Press, 16 February 2010
Hidden enemy delays advance in Marjah, Times Online, 16 February 2010
Analysis: Afghans, not NATO to decide fate of Marjah offensive, Reuters India, 16 February 2010
Operation Mushtarack continues amid casualties, Tehran Times, 16 February 2010
, The Washington Post, 16 February 2010

Related posts:
US and British to launch biggest offensive since 2001, 3 February 2010
US officials grapple with new plans on Taliban, 2 February 2010
NATO strike destroys Taliban bastion: Officials, 7 December 2009
Challenges facing US counterinsurgency effort in Kunar and Nuristan, 28 July 2009
Assessing counterinsurgency and stabilization missions, 4 May 2009