In Nad Ali the civilian phase of Afghan operation opens

Times:

Afghan civilians will today begin to pour into the district cleared by British troops in a pivotal phase of the operation to banish the Taleban.

Teachers and civil servants, together with foreign engineers, will begin to try to cement the military gains of Operation Moshtarak by winning the trust of locals.

Over the coming weeks, thousands of farmers will be given alfalfa seed, maize and summer vegetables to help them to move away from poppy growing. Local government will set up bases in villages that have not seen an official for decades.

The moves will be signalled today by Gulab Mangal, the Governor of Helmand province, as he announces the end of the military offensive in Nad Ali district and the beginning of the civilian phase to follow it.

...

British and Afghan troops met little opposition as they advanced through Nad Ali province. US Marines and Afghan forces have faced tougher resistance from insurgents in and around the town of Marjah to the southwest.

US commanders conceded yesterday that that part of the operation was behind schedule. Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, said that progress was slower than expected. Admiral Mike Mullen said that the operation in and around Marjah was “messy”.

...

One of the reasons Marjah is messy is that we re not using our full combat force in order to avoid civilian casualties. The Taliban know this and are taking advantage of it. In a few weeks these people will be handing out seed in Marjah too.

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