US: Civilians death is not a good start

NATO-led forces took the upper hand on the second day of the operation. But how it will progress remains difficult to predict.

The United States' top military officer said the campaign aimed to serve Afghans.

Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, "It's off to a good start, there's great focus on (Afghan) President Karzai has made this point, I think this is critical we would like to have no civilian causalities. I mean this is focused on the people, this is not focused on the Taliban, and it is a strategy that will not just clear the area but that will hold it and then build right behind it so that there is a civilian component here and there is a local governance piece which is going to be installed immediately as well."

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen testifies at the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 2, 2010. REUTERS/Jim Young