Afghanistan Nato Operation
'Meets First Objectives'
By Juan Cole
14 February, 2010
Juancole.com
BBC reporting British advance from north, met 'minimum interference' from Taliban.
US Marines were brought into Marjah city by helicopter. Four small firefights going on Saturday evening but in the city, as well, resistance seems less than expected.
Taliban are guerrillas who know they are outgunned, so the whole point of being a guerrilla is that one fades away rather than standing and fighting. They may also fear public backlash if they are blamed for substantial damage to the city:
BBC says 'Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Mohammed, had earlier told ABC News that his men were pulling back to spare any civilian casualties.'
Link BBC News - Afghanistan Nato operation 'meets first objectives'
