… If you live in Marjah and you’re one of the fuck-os.
“WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is openly telegraphing a plan to clear out an insurgent haven in what may be the first major battle since President Barack Obama’s expansion of the Afghanistan war, hoping that all but the most hardcore Taliban will sit out the fight.
U.S. military leaders have spoken bluntly in recent weeks about a looming assault on Marjah, a town in the southwest Afghan province of Helmand described as Taliban-owned and operated.
“It’s been increasingly clear for weeks now about the need to clear out Marjah, so that’s going to happen,” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told reporters traveling with him in Afghanistan in December. “It’s going to happen … at a time and place of our choosing, but it’s going to happen.” “
We here aboard USS EGGERS (LHD-1369) heard all that and more from the very mouth of the 34th Commandant when he came through a few weeks ago. And I had it confirmed again the day before yesterday by one of the senior enlisted Marines in 2d MEB; he told me, “They [the enemy in Marjah] have three choices– surrender and make piece with the government, fight and die, or try to run.”
This is a well-planned and thought-out move, and it will put a huge dent in the Taliban’s freedom of movement in Helmand. Stay tuned.
