Analysis: Troops surge may see Nato finally achieve its objective

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 21:51

THIS is proof that the surge has started. The blitz into southern Helmand is Nato is flexing its newly arrived US muscles.

The American marines have the same mission Nato troops have had for years: the doctrine of "clear, hold, build" is nothing new. But until now, it has been impossible. Helmand is Afghanistan's most violent province and British troops have been stretched thin, from Garmsir in the south, to Musa Qala and Kajaki in the north.

Of the 8,300 British troops in Afghanistan, only half are based in Helmand, and even fewer are in the combat outposts, doing battle with the Taleban.

In the three years since they first arrived, they have launched countless "clear" operations to flush the Taleban out of so-called "strongholds". But, until very recently, they've always had to withdraw, to fight elsewhere.

The Taleban, who invariably melt away when there's an overwhelming assault, re-infiltrate once foreign troops have gone, and locals are left to rebuild their homes under the watchful gaze of the insurgents, who bill their return as a victory.

The "hold" was always short-lived. The "build," which is supposed to involve substantive reconstruction, has been risible. In Garmsir, Britain had a handful of soldiers spread across two small outposts. They struggled to control much beyond their bases.

The Taleban would plant improvised explosive devices in the tracks around their camps. Occasionally, they'd fire rockets at the British camps. The British would fire back.

"The British troops they come, they bomb an area, and capture it, then go and the Taleban come back," said Mohammed Sabir, a student who fled Garmsir to live in Lashkar Gah because schools in his village were destroyed. "The fighting begins again and in between the civilians die."

The Americans have promised to change that. More than 8,000 US marines have deployed in Helmand, and more are on their way. They will give Nato the ability for the first time since 2001 to try to control Helmand's border with Pakistan.

&#149 Jerome Starkey has reported for The Scotsman from Afghanistan since October 2007.