VIDEO: Marjah residents receive food aid

Al Jazeera English



Residents of the southern Afghan town of Marjah have received their first food supplies since the start of a joint US-Afghan military operation against the Taliban in the area 11 days ago.

Afghan officials distributed bags of rice and tea in central Marjah, in southern Helmand province, on Tuesday, as sporadic fighting continued outside the city centre.

Nato forces launched the campaign, known as Operation Moshtarak, on February 13, in an effort to bring government control over southern Afghanistan. The US military has said Taliban resistance has begun to ease since the start of the offensive.

Al Jazeera's James Bays, reporting from Helmand, said Afghan officials are the most "up-beat" they have been since the start of the operation.

"The (Helmand) governor believes the offensive stage of this offensive could be over soon. He's talking about opening an interim district center in this town by Thursday," our correspondent said.