Hundreds of civilians have begun fleeing an area in southern Afghanistan which is expected to be the centre of a massive military offensive by NATO troops.
NATO commanders say the operation will be the biggest against the Taliban since the war began.
Speaking a short time ago the Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, spoke about the offensive and warned that there would be casualties.
BBC NEWS CHANNEL
~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~59~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~59~RS~)
Bookmark with:
What are these?
E-mail this to a friend