Upcoming offensive in S. Afghanistan aims for peace, not military success: official

The purpose of an upcoming massive offensive in southern Afghanistan is not for military success, but to bring security, development and good governance in the region, NATO and Afghan officials said Tuesday.

The remarks signaled a major change in the anti-Taliban strategy of foreign troops and Afghan government, as thousands of NATO and Afghan troops were expected to launch Operation Mushtarak in Marja district of southern Helmand province.

"The purpose of this operation is to bring security and development opportunities, jobs, justice, and better governance to the people of that area," Mark Sedwill, NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, said in a press conference in Afghan capital Kabul.

A team of Afghan officials and experts from Afghan central government are heading for the province to help deliver services to locals, once the Taliban insurgents are driven away, Sedwill added.

"The success of the operation will not be in the military phase, " Sedwill stressed. "It will be over the next weeks and months as the people ... feel the benefits of better governance, of economic opportunities and of operating under the legitimate authorities of Afghanistan."

Gulab Mangal, Helmand provincial governor, said at the same press conference that military operation is the first phase of the plan that ultimately aims at bringing development, justice, good governance, and job opportunities to the area.

The operation, believed to be the largest ever since 2001 when the United States waged the war on terror in Afghanistan, has triggered concern about an exodus from the area, as hundreds of families have already been fleeing Marja district.

Mangal admitted that so far local government has received two waves of displaced people from the area - 72 and 92 families. But he said a commission has formed to help the displaced people.

"The commission is fully prepared. We have got tents. We've got food. We've got everything in place," said Mangal.

Sedwell said authorities are prepared to deal with the issue of displaced people.

"The message to the people of the area is of course keep your heads down, stay inside when the operation is going ahead," Sedwell said.

Source:Xinhua