‘High-stakes battle’ for Helmand

British troops are trying to take land from the Taliban - and hold it For the British, it is Operation Panther's Claw. For US Marines , it is Operation River Liberty. They are two separate offensives, but they are also closely co-ordinated and inextricably linked. They are part of the most ambitious combat campaign in Helmand since British troops were first deployed to this southern province four summers ago. U.S. Marines pushed further into southern Afghanistan Friday, meeti