Taliban 'counter offensive' gets a name, but no results

Telegraph:

More than 4,000 American marines and 650 Afghan soldiers have only met isolated resistance since storming into the southern Helmand river valley five days ago.

The US Operation Khanjar, or 'sword strike', is the first big push of Barack Obama's surge strategy in Afghanistan and designed to turn the tide against the stubborn insurgency.

Commanders also hope the massive assault will persuade some insurgents they have no alternative but to enter talks with the government.

However, Yousef Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said fighters had now responded with Operation Foladi Jal, or "iron net".

He said: "Their Khanjar will get stuck in our Foladi Jal." "In this operation we'll teach them a lesson so they will never again dare to come into our areas."

"We will not engage them in front battles. We would rather hit them by mines and guerrilla attacks," he said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties and it was not clear when the offensive would start....

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I don't think the Taliban are capable of teaching the Marines much of anything. They are about to run into the strongest tribe they have ever faced. They are also finally facing a persisting presence on top of their turf.