Afghan war to claim more UK soldier

The British government has warned the country to brace for more casualties, ahead of a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.

Thousands of troops from Britain, the United States and Afghanistan are preparing to launch ‘Operation Moshtarak’ (‘Together’) in Helmand province within days.

According to Press TV, over 400 families have so far evacuated the Marjah plain in the central Helmand River valley, where the offensive is to be centered.

The assault is dubbed as the largest against the Taliban militants since the war began.

Reports say up to 4,000 troops from Britain, which has 9,500 service personnel in the country, may be involved in the attack.

UK Defense Minister Bob Ainsworth said on Sunday that such operations can never be made “risk-free.”

“Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations,” Ainsworth told reporters.

He also warned that the number of kits and amount of equipment provided for the troops would make no difference as the environment of the operation is “not in any way safe.”

The development comes as the US-led coalition forces have been preparing the ground to bring the Taliban militants to the Afghan government by trying to open dialogue with the militant group.

The US invaded the county to allegedly destroy militancy in the country.

The costly conflict is stretching into its ninth year as thousands of Afghan civilians have been killed both by acts of violence, including bombings and daily fighting, and US military operations in the country.