By Jonathon Burch
KABUL, July 2 (Reuters) - Thousands of U.S. Marines stormed into a river valley in southern Helmand province on Thursday in an operation seeking to break the Taliban's hold on the key opium-growing region and turn the tide of the war in Afghanistan.
Following are questions and answers about what impact Operation Khanjar, or "Strike of the Sword", might have.
WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO ACHIEVE?
The Marines hope by appearing suddenly and in overwhelming numbers, they can capture some of the Taliban's firmest strongholds with little resistance. U.S. commanders say a rapid, decisive victory in the Helmand valley will turn the course of a war some in Washington have said they are not winning.
But launching such a bold operation also carries great risk. A protracted, bloody fight could erode support for the war in the United States, among its NATO allies and, most importantly, among Afghans the U.S. government and military are trying to win over.
"In every counter-insurgency there are times when you have to go in after the insurgents. There are no retired insurgents, but we can't afford to make more enemies along the way," General Stanley McChrystal, who has taken over foreign forces in Afghanistan with a new counter-insurgency strategy, has said.
WILL THEY BE ABLE TO HOLD THE GROUND THEY WIN?
That has been the biggest problem so far for overstretched, British-led NATO troops in Helmand. Without enough manpower, they have been forced to defend scattered outposts and move into areas by day, only to withdraw back to barracks hours later and watch the Taliban flood back in.
Some 10,000 U.S. Marines are now in Helmand, more than double the size of British-led forces.
"One of the biggest problems in the counter-insurgency fight in Afghanistan is that when NATO forces launch an operation and clean up an area, they create a vacuum," said Haroun Mir, political analyst and co-founder of the Afghanistan Center for Research and Policy Studies in Kabul.
"They cannot stay in that area ... then the Taliban come out from their hideouts and take over the village again," he said.
But commanders now hope the extra troops will allow them to hold ground by setting up small bases, effectively living and fighting among the people, a strategy adopted from the Iraq war.
DOES IT HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE?
A key component of the operation is winning the trust of the local Afghan population.
Company commanders have been ordered to set up shuras, or community councils, with the local populations within 24 hours of arriving in towns and villages.
"I want to make sure you understand ... we're attempting to seize the population. We're going to seize the population from the Taliban and never let them go," said Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Cabaniss, commander of the 2nd battalion, 8th Marines.
Mir said this was crucial.
"This is what McChrystal, I think, has grasped in Afghanistan -- to reach out to Afghan people and try and bring them on board instead of alienating them," said Mir.
Military commanders hope by the end of the summer to provide security for 90 percent of the population in the south, up from about 60 percent now.
WHAT ABOUT RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT?
Poor security has largely kept foreign aid organisations out of the south, particularly in Helmand.
The Afghan government and foreign military commanders hope by securing and holding parts of Helmand, aid organisations will be able to move in and begin reconstruction in an area that has seen little or no development.
"In this district the people have asked the government to help them. This operation will improve things," said Daoud Ahmadi, spokesman for the governor of Helmand.
Saleem Zmarial, adviser to Helmand's governor on development and counter narcotics, said: "The people there need to start a new life with access to healthcare and clean water".
WILL IT BE A LONG FIGHT?
While military commanders hope their overwhelming numbers will overpower the insurgents with little resistance, Taliban fighters have had years to reinforce positions among the valley's irrigation ditches and canals, fiercely resisting past advances.
The Taliban say they will oppose the Marines but are unlikely to challenge them in face-to-face combat, which they would almost certainly lose. The insurgents are more likely to dig in and use deadly roadside bombs and similar tactics.