The First Minister welcomed humanitarian aid's inclusion in the action

Welsh Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan welcomed the inclusion of humanitarian aid in the coalition's three-pronged attack, along with diplomacy and the strikes, and the Conservative assembly leader, Nick Bourne, pledged "full and active" support from his party.

Plaid Cymru said limited military action was inevitable in response to the attacks on the US in September - but the party warned against a full-scale assault.

Assault begins

The attacks in Afghanistan began around 1725BST on Sunday with a series of missiles hitting an area north of the capital, Kabul.

Anti-aircraft fire was seen to litter the night sky in an attempt to shoot down the coalition forces.

President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared on television on both sides of the Atlantic to address their people as the missiles hit.

Throughout Sunday evening, the Allies launched a swathe of missiles across Afghanistan.

The Afghans cannot and should not be blamed for the actions of Osama bin Laden and the Taleban regime

First Minister Rhodri Morgan

On Monday, UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said targets had been around Kabul, in other populated areas and in remote areas with no civilian targets.

The towns of Kandahar and Jalalabad were hit, in addition to the Afghan capital, in what military experts believe is a first wave of attack, crippling the Taleban defence capabilities before deploying troops for a ground invasion.

Mr Hoon said: "Neither the Afghan civilian population nor their homes or property have been targeted."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said the operation will last for a matter of weeks.

Mixed welcome

In Wales, Plaid Cymru, bestowed a luke warm welcome.

A statement from the party read: "Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales - accepts that limited military action is inevitable to dismantle al Qaeda and the network that has supported terrorist activities.

"However, we caution against the use of widespread military strikes against Afghanistan.

Conservative leader Nick Bourne pledged his full support

"Diplomatic efforts must continue, and we need to ensure that the fight against terrorism does not alienate moderate Muslims who share our distaste at the terror tactics employed by Osama bin Laden and the network he heads."

Earlier, Plaid's parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd appeared to break the political consensus on military support by calling for a suspension of strike action to resume a fully diplomatic campaign.

"I do now hope the word 'limited' will be in the forefront of the military people's minds, so that we do not see innocent people being killed along the way," he told BBC Wales.

'Afghans suffering'

First Minister Mr Morgan, too, advised careful military action.

"I'm glad to see that this is not just a one dimensional military campaign but that great emphasis has been placed on the humanitarian aspect," he said.

"The Afghanistan people have suffered greatly for the last 20 years. They cannot and should not be blamed for the actions of Osama bin Laden and the Taleban regime."

He added: "They can't say they weren't given a chance. They have had four weeks to give up Osama Bin Laden and other key people in the al Quaeda terrorist network and to close down their training camps."

Speaking from the shortened Conservative party conference in Blackpool, Nick Bourne said: "Freedom and liberty has to be protected.

"The Welsh Conservative Party, like the party nationally and the civilised world, offers the prime minister our full and active support during this unavoidable period of conflict.

"My thoughts are with the many Welsh servicemen and women as they lead the way in the fight against terrorism."

Liberal Democrat assembly leader Mike German also welcomed the action.