I got this update on operations this morning. Sorry I didn’t post it earlier, I am off today so I overslept a little (OK, actually a lot!)

Marines are still clearing areas of the Garmsir district. They have captured a series of identified enemy strong points and defensive positions south of the Task Force Helmand forward operating bases and are opening routes that were previously closed through Garmsir to the economically vital Helmand green zone, spokeswoman Capt. Kelly Frushour said in an e-mail.

Unlike the “Green Zone” in Iraq, which refers to a protected area that houses the U.S. Embassy and much of the Iraqi government in Baghdad, Afghanistan’s Green Zone is quite literally that — a stretch of green vegetation and poppy fields along the Helmand River. The area still has a heavy Taliban presence.

The Marines have encountered “light, disorganized resistance in the form of small arms and indirect fire and rocket propelled grenades,” according to the press release. No Marines were injured.

“I think the most telling aspect is an Afghan citizen of Garmsir had no qualms about bringing his wounded child to a newly established Marine position where Marines were heavily armed,” said Col Peter Petronzio, Commanding Officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “Here is a man who has first-hand experience of life under the Taliban. He knows that with them there is no offer of hope, no plan and no future. He knows we are here to help.”