The Afghan national flag is raised above Khan Neshin castle in the Rig District Center for the first time July 8. The flag raising signaled the arrival of Afghan governance in the southern reaches of Helmand Province.
Operation Khanjar continues to make progress as the goal of driving out the Taliban is matched by the increased presence of Coalition and Afghan forces as a means to keep the Taliban out. Beginning with a massive helicopter assault, the marines were followed in by a large armored column as they moved to secure all of Helmland province as a means to provide security for next falls election. Of course the Taliban have been stepping up attacks in and around Kabul, whether this is in response to Khanjar or just part of a Summer campaign is not known. For a photo essay click here.
KHAN NESHIN, Afghanistan (July 8, 2009) – The Afghan national flag was raised above Khan Neshin castle in the Rig District Center July 8 for the first time, signaling the arrival of Afghan governance in the southern reaches of Helmand Province.
Khan Neshin and the areas south of the Helmand River have never experienced the sustained presence of coalition forces or Afghan National Security Forces, until now, seven days after the beginning of Operation Khanjar.
“The number one question we get from the people is, ‘when are you leaving?’” said Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. “The answer is we’re not leaving until the transition for security is made to the provincial government, to include the Afghan forces.”
Afghans from the local populace came to Khan Neshin shortly after the flag was raised, where they heard statements from Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal and newly-appointed Rig District Governor Massoud Jan. Dozens of locals then gathered around a large courtyard within the district center to sign up for voting in the upcoming national elections.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (July 6, 2009) – Afghan National Police and forces from Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan have restored government control in the town of Khan Neshin as part of MEB-Afghanistan’s ongoing Operation Khanjar, designed to provide stable conditions for the Afghan people by disrupting insurgents’ lines of communication and freedom of movement in Helmand province.
Approximately 500 Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion have moved into the Khan Neshin area, located in the Rig District, near the part of the Helmand River known as “The Fishhook.” This is the first time coalition forces have had a sustained presence so far south in the Helmand River valley. Khan Neshin had been a Taliban stronghold for several years before Afghan and coalition forces arrived and began discussions with local leaders several days ago.
Another aspect of this offensive is the extraordinary sacrifice of British soldiers as they push against the Taliban and suffer heavy casualties:
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