Combat In Marja Not Yet Complete
Although the Taliban presence in the Afghan city of Marja has been largely reduced following a two-week long offensive from the U.S. military and Afghan security forces, a Department of Defense spokesperson said Wednesday that scaled-down combat could continue for weeks.
“There are still pockets where we believe there to be some Taliban hiding out. Perhaps lying in wait,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters. “We expect the fighting will remain with us for weeks as we go about clearing those hold outs.”
Morrell stressed that although the U.S. is prepared for additional combat, the military has moved from the clearing phase of the operation to holding and building.
“Things are trending in the right direction there,” Morrell added.
