Afstan: Operation Mountain Thrust

Coalition forces are launching a major offensive in southern Afstan (full text not online). Wish them all well.

The U.S.-led coalition is drawing on more than 11,000 troops at its disposal -- including 2,200 Canadians -- for the biggest offensive against insurgents since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

The push by American, Canadian, British and Afghan troops aims to squeeze Taliban fighters in the southern mountains of Afghanistan extending over four volatile provinces...

Operation Mountain Thrust will involve about 2,300 U.S. conventional and special forces, 3,300 British troops, 2,200 Canadians, about 3,500 Afghan soldiers and air support troops, said U.S. Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Freakley. There will also be coalition air support...

The offensive began on a smaller scale on May 15 with attacks on Taliban command and control and support networks. According to U.S. military and Afghan figures, about 550 people, mostly militants, have been killed since mid-May.

Another goal of Operation Mountain Thrust is to set the conditions for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, which takes command in Afghanistan from the U.S.-led coalition in late July or early August...

Update: Detailed report by embedded blogger Bill Roggio.