U.S. Marines Push Deeper into Marjah Amid Threats of Roadside Bombs and Civilian Casualties

U.S. Marines in Afghanistan are pushing ahead with a major offensive in and around the southern town of Marjah, despite facing significant challenges from roadside bombs and the risk of civilian casualties. The operation has been slow due to the saturation of routes of attack with IEDs, and commanders have been cautious to avoid civilian casualties. NPR's Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is with the Marines and reports on the difficulties of securing the area.

Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. Marines have been pushing ahead in the major offensive in and around the southern town of Marjah, despite facing significant challenges from roadside bombs and the risk of civilian casualties.
• The operation has been slow due to the saturation of routes of attack with IEDs, with a total of 400 pounds of explosives discovered in a single "daisy chained" group, which was detonated by the Marines.
• The Marines have been cautious to avoid civilian casualties, treating a wounded elderly man who claimed to have been shot by an Afghan soldier, although there is no 100% proof of the incident.
• Insurgents are still active in the area, firing sporadically, but using ineffective tactics, such as employing old machine guns.
• The Marines have detained a person suspected of being the trigger man for the IEDs, but the operation is ongoing.

Statistics:

• 400 pounds of explosives were discovered in a single "daisy chained" group of IEDs, which was detonated by the Marines.
• 300 yards was the distance between the intended target and the compound that was struck by a NATO-led coalition HIMARS missile, resulting in civilian casualties.
• 12 people were in the compound that was struck by the HIMARS missile.

Sources:

• National Public Radio "Morning Edition" of February 15, 2010
• Transcription provided by Federal News Service, Inc.