11.   The Russian offensive followed a night of almost unbroken artillery duels around Shali, which the separatists have declared the focus of their resistance to Russian rule.

12.   The French military offensive followed a day of violence in which two French soldiers and a Central African civilian were killed and several other people injured.

13.   The dawn offensive followed three days of intense air attacks, the spokesman said, but failed to mention any casualties.

14.   The government offensive followed a split in the KNU between its Christian leadership and some of its Buddhist rank-and-file.

15.   The offensive followed the strengthening of Taliban troops in the sector and was intended to blunt any Taliban intention of launching their own attack, the spokesman said.