Afghanistan: US and British to launch biggest offensive since 2001
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Thousands of US and British forces are preparing to launch the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion.
American commanders gave notice on Wednesday that the assault is imminent.
US, British and Afghan forces will flood into a Taliban enclave in southern Helmand province in a massive show of force intended as a decisive start to President Barack Obama's "surge" of 30,000 extra troops.
The operation is expected to involve up to 15,000 personnel and could last between six and eight weeks.
They are preparing to take the town of Marjah which they describe as a "festering sore" after last summer's Helmand offensives.
The town has been described as a nexus of militant fighters, bomb makers and opium traffickers and is believed to have given sanctuary to many fighters who fled British and US operations in central Helmand last July.
US officers believe between 600 and 1,000 fighters, including 150 foreign volunteers, are in the district.
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