Taliban resistance disjointed in Brit offensive in Helmand

Telegraph:

Despite the growing list of British fatalities, troops are continuing to push the enemy back on operation Panthers Claw that is seen a "crucial" operation for the security of Helmand.

The fighting had been "exceptionally arduous" with the threat from the Taliban roadside bombs "enormous", Lt Col Simon Banton told The Daily Telegraph.

"But I think that the tipping point is about now where the enemy resistance is more disjointed," the officer said, adding that scores of the Taliban had been killed in the battle that has lasted three weeks.

The force of 700 British soldiers, accompanied by Afghan and Danish troops, is fighting in extremely difficult conditions with mines and booby-traps a constant threat. In countryside criss-crossed by irrigation ditches, thick compound walls and dense vegetation British troops struggle with 110lbs of kit in temperatures of 46oC.

"It is physically draining but now there is a much more prevalent IED (improvised explosive device) threat said the commanding officer of the 2nd Bn The Mercian Regiment, which has suffered more than a dozen wounded in addition to the death of 18-year-old Pte Robert Laws this week.

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"This one has seen hard combat every single day," said Lt Col Banton. "The guys pick themselves up at 4am from whatever dusty floor they have slept on and carry on but psychologically they know that the enemy are suffering casualties at a far higher rate than us."

The densely farmed district where the operation is happening has a population of 65,000 people in a key area between the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah and the market hub of Goreshk.

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"Britain has been holding the line and there only so much can do with troops available but the Americans will double our combat power and this will make a significant change to security in Helmand."

Increasing the force to space ratio makes it more difficult for the enemy to avoid detection and contact. The increased pressure from the combined offensive can cause the enemy to make mistakes. The Taliban do appear to be focusing on fighting the British troops while avoiding the Marines where possible.