Obama getting briefed on Afghanistan operation

(AP) — A White House spokesman says President Barack Obama is keeping a close watch on combat operations in Afghanistan, getting multiple updates as thousands of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers storm a Taliban stronghold.

The attempt to take the Taliban stronghold of Marjah is the largest operation since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.

Spokesman Tommy Vietor (Vee'-tor) said Obama is keeping abreast of the combat through the White House Situation Room. He said the president will also get an update from his national security advisor, Gen. Jim Jones, later in the day.

Vietor said Defense Secretary Robert Gates will also have the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, brief Obama Sunday morning.

(This version CORRECTS pronouncer on spokesman's name.)