Two days after the battle for Marja in southern Afghanistan's Helmand Province began, fighting continues in the last Taliban stronghold in the opium-rich province. This certainly won't be good for the Taliban's wallet.
The second day saw some measured progress and some setbacks along with heavier fighting as the militants appeared to switch from hits-and-runs to in some cases trying to hold their ground or overrun Marine positions.(Wall Street Journal)
The third day of Operation Moshtarak brought with it yet another change.
NATO and Afghan forces are not waiting to engage the population and have been holding more meetings with Afghan residents of Marja.(New York Times) Neither did General McChrystal wait before apologizing for the errant civilian deaths caused by an unguided rocket that missed its target. 12 died in that incident, although one CNN report I've seen indicated that two other civilians were killed in a separate incident involving cross-fire after the Taliban commandeered their homes. The use of those unguided rockets has been suspended per order of General McChrystal. More than 30 insurgents were dead by the start of the third day, with NATO loses at 2- one Brit and one American Marine.(Daily Mail)
As for the third day, it has been very quiet. On the first day the Taliban used hit and run. The second, they tried to hold their ground or even assault NATO/Afghan positions. The third day, they appear to be trying to melt away as their resistance fades.(CNN) Indeed, the only heavy fighting that might remain is expected to be in southern-Marja where foreign fighters were rallying towards previously. Little word on any new casualties, but 3 Afghan security-force members are known to have died in Operation Moshtarak.(New York Times)
As always, you will be kept up to date. Whether you ant to or not.
(Correction: The diary on the second day stated that a third NATO soldier died in Operation Moshtarak. It's not clear if that soldier was involved in the specific operation or not.
Also, previous diaries speculated on the fate of Paksitani Taliban deputy-chief Qari Hussain Mehsud- he spoke on Sunday with the media, thereby confirming his survival)