More Afghan boots needed on the ground

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, July 9 (UPI) -- U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan say they need more Afghan forces for their push into the southern provinces despite some modest optimism.

Marine Brig. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, told reporters that as his combat forces swept into the southern Afghan province of Helmand as part of Operation Strike of the Sword, more Afghan forces were needed.

About 4,000 Marines are conducting operations in Helmand as the U.S. ground offensive embarks on a new chapter in Afghanistan. There are only 650 Afghan troops working with the Americans, however.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it," he said. "The fact of the matter is, we don't have enough Afghan forces, and I'd like more.

Nicholson said his Marines had encountered only pockets of resistance but witnessed some heavy fighting in insurgent strongholds peppered throughout the opium-rich landscape.

U.S. military commanders note the military effort in Afghanistan is proceeding along new strategic guidelines that stress the need to protect civilian lives in order to avoid turning the native population against American forces.

Nicholson said he had received support from Helmand provincial Gov. Gulab Mangal in the planning stages of Operation Strike of the Sword, pointing out tribal elders sympathetic to U.S. efforts, the Pentagon says.

Meanwhile, at least 25 were killed Thursday in the latest spate of attacks in Kabul, with children reportedly among the dead. Taliban insurgents have denied they were behind the latest violence, however.