U.S Marines have returned to the volatile southern province of Helmand, two years after the NATO combat mission ended in the country.

The Marines were the first U.S Forces to be sent to Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States.

For years they were engaged in often heavy fighting in the volatile province, however the new deployment of about 300 Marines will form part of Resolute Support’s train, advise and assist mission.

The deployment came one day after the Taliban announced the launch of its spring offensive. In a statement, the group warned it would increase its campaign of bombings, ambush attacks, complex attacks and IED operations.

The Marines arrival also comes just days after reports emerged that the Trump administration is evaluating plans to send as many as 5,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

According to reports last week, the Pentagon is considering options that include between 3,000 and 5,000 conventional military personnel to advise Afghan military and police units, plus an unspecified number of additional special forces units to tackle counter-terror operations against al-Qaeda and Daesh.   

A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed those plans to Military Times on Saturday.