Defense Official: Operations In Marjah And Helmand Has Been Successful

By Monique Cala University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy said she was 'optimistic for the future' of military offenses in the Afghan towns Marjah and Helmand.

"So far the evidence suggest this fundamental shift and approach has been extremely successful," said Flournoy during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The percentage of Afghan civilian casualties caused by coalition actions has dropped substantially."

The operation is a combination of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces working together to remove the Taliban and restore security to Marjah and central Helmand.

Flournoy highlighted how the perception of Americans on the ground in Afghanistan has improved recently due to the fundamental approach. Yet, the joint staff did warn that things could get worse before they get better.

"We may well see increases in violence, increase in attacks on our forces," said Flournoy. "Our adversaries are cunning, they are adaptable, they are tenacious and we will need to continually reaffirm out commitment and refine our response."

Lieutenant General John Paxton said, "In spite of recent success, we know this is going to be a hard fight. There are going to be pockets of intense resistance. There will be perhaps one step forward two steps back for awhile."

The ratio of Afghan Armed forces to U.S. troops in Marjah is now 1 to 2. Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) called it 'considerable progress' from 1 to 5 last September.

"Operation Moshtarak is first operation in Afghanistan where coalition planning has been fully interrogated with our Afghan partners from the very start," added Paxton.