MARJAH, Afghanistan — Two U.S. helicopters dropped elite Marine recon teams behind Taliban lines before dawn today as the U.S.- led force stepped up operations to break resistance on the seventh day of fighting in the besieged militant stronghold of Marjah.
About two dozen Marines were inserted into an area where skilled Taliban marksmen are known to operate, an officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
A Marine general said Thursday that U.S. and Afghan allied forces control the main roads and markets in town, but fighting has raged on elsewhere in the southern farming town. A British general said he expected it would take another month to secure the town.
NATO said six international service members died Thursday, bringing the number of allied troops killed in the offensive to 11 NATO troops and one Afghan soldier.
The Associated Press
