The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan army have captured the largest part of the region in the southern Afghan province of Helmand which contains the last two Taliban strongholds.

Head of the US armed forces Mike Mullen says the offensive, named Operation Moshtarak, has got off to a good start. He is unable to specify how long the battle for the city of Marjah will last, but says that a few weeks were suggested during the preparations. Marjah is a major base for the Taliban and a centre of opium production.

Twelve civilians were killed in rocket attacks on the city on Sunday. US General Stanley McChrystal has offered President Hamid Karzai his apologies. He announced an inquiry into the deaths of the civilians and said that for the time being, the type of rocket launcher used in the incident has been withdrawn.