Canadian Forces on new Kandahar offensive

The Canadian Forces in Afghanistan are part of a new battle offensive in a tactically crucial region in Kandahar province.

This is likely the last major offensive by Task Force Kandahar. 

Operation Baawar, which is Pashto for assurance, will be focusing on a region known as the Horn of Panjwaii, the Forces said. The Taliban lost control of the Panjwaii district during Operation Medusa in 2006 but has since regained influence there.

The U.S. military and the Afghan National Army have secured the area around the Horn of Panjwaii for the past couple of months.

Lt.-Col. Michel-Henri St-Louis, the Canadian battle group commander, said a large force of U.S. paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division have been on duty between Zangabad and Mushan since late October.

Now, Canadian Forces will move in with the Afghan National Army and support from the U.S. military to secure the entire Horn of Panjwaii, village by village. An Afghan battalion, called a kandak, is leading the operation.

Canadian soldiers are also leading efforts to build a road that will reconnect this district with the rest of Kandahar province.