[Quqnoos] The US is planning to launch a major offensive later this year to target Taliban hideouts in Kandahar. The operation would be a part of 12 -- 18 month push aimed at turning the tide in the staled Afghan war.Thousands of NATO and Afghan forces involved in Operation Moshtarak, a Dari word for together, have been targeting Taliban strongholds in southern Helmand province for the past three weeks.
Previously, Gen Stanley McChrystal, the top commander of foreign troops in Afghanistan said the local population in Kandahar is at risk, indicating a plan on Kandahar offensive is underway.
"If the goal in Afghanistan is to reverse the momentum of the Taliban... then we think we have to get to Kandahar this year," an official in the White House told reporters.
As Michael Yon points out, to get to Kandahar you ... drive there. It's an open city, and plenty of westerners are roaming around with minimal escort.
The White House official described Marjah -- a key Taliban stronghold in Helmand -- as "a tactical prelude to a comprehensive operation in Kandahar City."
Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban, has been a hotbed of the Taliban-led insurgency over the past few years.
Operation Moshtarak was launched in mid-February, and has several more weeks to go as roadside bombing has slowed down the progress. Afghan and NATO officials say that nearly 100 militants and at least 15 foreign troops have been killed during the operation.