Marja

MARJA - Even as thousands of US and Afghan troops remain engaged in the first phase of the gruelling fight against Taliban in southern Marja, top commanders believe that "real challenge" lies ahead, and the offensive is just in its "opening act." A week after the launch of Marja offensive, NATO commanders and civilian stabilization advisers are facing an even more daunting task: how to establish basic local governance and security in a place where there are no civil servants, no indigenous policemen and apparently no public buildings.

MARJA - An errant US rocket hit a compound sheltering Afghan civilians in the last Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province on Sunday, killing at least 10 people, including five children.

MARJA - Thousands of American, Afghan and British troops launched an attack on the watery Taliban fortress of Marja on Saturday morning.