southern afghanistan

U.S. Marines are now trying to build relationships with local people after gaining ground in the southern Afghanistan area of Marjah.

But after two years of Taliban control, the group's presence is still deeply felt — especially the threats sent in "night letters" to those who cooperate with foreigners.

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U.S. Marines and their Afghan counterparts are tightening their hold on the Taliban stronghold of Marjah, in southern Afghanistan.

But hundreds of deadly homemade bombs, or IEDs, remain behind.

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Thousands of U.S. Marines are digging in for a drawn-out campaign in southern Afghanistan aimed at ousting the Taliban.

It's the largest operation launched by American troops since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001. The immediate goal is to drive out insurgents before next month's presidential elections.