We’ve had several posts about the Taliban’s planned “spring offensive,” which they’ve been announcing with great relish through jihad web sites and Arab media; Bill Roggio says NATO forces don’t plan on waiting around for it to happen: Operation Achilles: NATO’s offensive in Helmand province.

As mentioned previously, NATO is not waiting for the spring to react to the expected Taliban offensive. The NATO led International Security Assistance Force has announced Operation Achilles the first large scale operation in Helmand province this year. Achilles consists of approximately two brigades of troops from U.S., British, Afghan and possibly Dutch and Canadian units. “Our first manoeuvre elements reached their positions at approximately 05h00 this morning and at it’s peek, Operation Achilles will eventually involve over 4500 NATO troops and close to 1000 ANSF [Afghan National Security Forces] personnel,” said Major-General Ton van Loon, Commander of Regional Command (South).

Operation Achilles does not encompass potential operations in Kandahar, Uruzgan or the eastern provinces bordering Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas. This operation will focus on the violent northern districts of Helmand province, where the Taliban control the districts of Musa Qala and Washir, and claimed to have captured Nawzad. The British turned over Musa Qala to the Taliban in the fall of 2006 after agreeing to a Waziristan Accord like deal, giving the Taliban a sanctuary in the region.

Previously at LGF:
Video: Taliban Recruits Hundreds of Suicide Bombers to Attack NATO