Battle of Arghandab (2008)

Last updated
Battle of Arghandab
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Kandahar districts.png
Map of the districts of Kandahar province of Afghanistan
DateJune 18–19, 2008 [1]
Location
Arghandab District, Afghanistan
Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 		Flag of the Taliban.svg Taliban
Strength
Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg 700 soldiers 300–600 insurgents [2] [3]
Casualties and losses
2 killed [4]
4 wounded		 96 killed (ANA claim [4] )
1 civilian killed
1 civilian wounded
3 contractors wounded

The Battle of Arghandab (code-named Operation IBRAT by the insurgents [5] ) began on June 18, 2008, when NATO-led forces attacked Taliban militants in response to Taliban attacks in Arghandab District and Kandahar. The battle in Arghandab marked the second time in less than a year that the Taliban has tried to take control of the area. [6]

Contents

Background

On June 13, 2008, Taliban fighters attacked the Sarposa Prison in a co-ordinated assault which freed the 800-900 prisoners, approximately a third of whom were believed to have past ties to the insurgency. [7] [8] Coalition forces swept the area for escaped convicts, leading to the deaths of 15 militants in an air strike against a farm. [9]

In the following days, it was widely reported that as many as 18 towns surrounding Kandahar had been overrun by Afghan militants, [10] and that approximately 500 insurgents had moved into the neighbouring Arghandab District 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the city, to make use of its grape and pomegranate groves to conceal themselves while they prepared to re-take Kandahar. [11] The insurgents warned locals to flee the area before heavy fighting began, while Coalition planes dropped leaflets suggesting that civilians remain indoors. [10] On June 16, 2008, Afghan National Army (ANA) and Coalition forces conducted a five-hour patrol through the area, and reported that they had seen no sign of an insurgent build-up and that any reports suggesting otherwise were "unfounded". [11] [12]

Build-up

"Keep your families safe. When there is fighting near your home, stay inside while ANSF defeat the enemies of Afghanistan."

—Leaflet dropped over Arghandab [13]

Despite reassurances a battle was not looming, the Canadians called an emergency meeting with the ANA on June 16, 2008, [14] and the following day coalition forces flew 700 ANA troops from Kabul into the region on June 17, 2008, as hundreds of civilians fled the area, and Canadian Forces reported a small gunbattle with insurgents on the outskirts of the city. [5] [10] [15]

Afghan insurgents destroyed culverts and bridges around Kandahar, while planting minefields in an attempt to limit Coalition mobility. [10] The insurgents began sending shipments of weapons and ammunition into their neighboring towns, [16] while Taliban commander Mullah Ahmedullah suggested that the insurgents were waiting for the NATO-led forces to make the first move. [17]

Canadian soldiers increased their presence at "high-risk" targets in Kandahar, including a power station, the residence of governor Ahmed Wali Karzai, Sarposa Prison and their own reconstruction base. [5] A 22:00 curfew was placed on vehicles in the city. [5]

Akhtar Mohammad, who had been among the escapees from the Sarposa Prison, reported that he was among approximately 200 insurgents in Zhari, preparing to enter Arghandab in advance of the battle. [16]

The battle

NATO-led forces entered Arghandab on June 18, 2008, and were met by only small pockets of resistance. An air strike in Tabin was reported to have killed 20 insurgents, [2] while two ANA soldiers were killed in a firefight that left 16 insurgents dead in Khohak. [4] [18] On June 19, Brigadier General Denis Thompson confirmed that the insurgents had been defeated outside of Kandahar City, but also added that they could regroup and attack again. [1]

Australian journalist Jamie Kidston was shot in the arm while working for NATO and filming Canadian troops in combat. [19]

One local resident was killed, and another wounded. Three other civilian contractors working for ISAF were also wounded. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panjwayi District</span> District of Kandahar Province, southeastern Afghanistan

Panjwayi is a district in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. It is located about 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of Kandahar. The district borders Helmand Province to the southwest, Maywand District to the west, Zhari District to the north, Arghandab, Kandahar and Daman districts to the east and Reg District to the south. Panjwayi was reduced in size in 2004 when Zhari District was created out of the northern part of it, on the northern side of the Arghandab River, which now forms the northern boundary.

Zhari is a district in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Alternative spellings include Zheley, Zharey, Zharay, Zheri, or Zheray. The district was created in 2004 from land that was formerly part of Maywand and Panjwai districts. The population is estimated at 80,700 (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taliban insurgency</span> Insurgency during the War in Afghanistan

The Taliban insurgency began after the group's fall from power during the 2001 War in Afghanistan. The Taliban forces fought against the Afghan government, led by President Hamid Karzai, and later by President Ashraf Ghani, and against a US-led coalition of forces that has included all members of NATO; the 2021 Taliban offensive resulted in the collapse of the government of Ashraf Ghani. The private sector in Pakistan extends financial aid to the Taliban, contributing to their financial sustenance.

Operation Mountain Thrust was a NATO and Afghan-led operation in the War in Afghanistan, with more than 3,300 British troops, 2,300 U.S., 2,200 Canadian troops, about 3,500 Afghan soldiers and large air support. Its primary objective was to quell the ongoing Taliban insurgency in the south of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Medusa</span> Military operation in Afghanistan

Operation Medusa was a Canadian-led offensive during the second Battle of Panjwaii of the War in Afghanistan. The operation was fought primarily by the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group and other elements of the International Security Assistance Force, supported by the Afghan National Army and a team from the United States Army's 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) augmented by C Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division. Its goal was to establish government control over an area of Kandahar Province centered in the district of Panjwayi some 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kandahar city. A tactical victory, it resulted in the deaths of 12 Canadian soldiers; five during the major combat operations, five in bombings, and two in a mortar/RPG attack during the reconstruction phase of the operation. Fourteen British military personnel were also killed when their plane crashed. Despite suffering a brutal battlefield defeat, the Taliban retained their presence in Kandahar province and did not lose their will to fight, leading to the subsequent Operation Falcon Summit. Nonetheless, Operation Medusa was at the time the most significant land battle ever undertaken by NATO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Mountain Fury</span> Military operation in Afghanistan

Operation Mountain Fury was a NATO-led operation begun on September 16, 2006 as a follow-up operation to Operation Medusa, to clear Taliban insurgents from the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. Another focus of the operation was to enable reconstruction projects such as schools, health-care facilities, and courthouses to take place in the targeted provinces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Herrick</span> British operations in Afghanistan 2002–2014

Operation Herrick was the codename under which all British operations in the War in Afghanistan were conducted from 2002 to the end of combat operations in 2014. It consisted of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and support to the American-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), within the South Asian country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)</span>

The following items form a partial timeline of the War in Afghanistan. For events prior to October 7, 2001, see 2001 in Afghanistan.

Events from the year 2007 in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmand province campaign</span> 2006–2014 ISAF anti-Taliban military operations in southern Afghanistan

The Helmand province campaign was a series of military operations conducted by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces against Taliban insurgents and other local groups in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Their objective was to control a province that was known to be a Taliban stronghold, and a center of opium production. None of the ISAF's intended strategic and political objectives were achieved in the long term.

The Battle of Musa Qala was a British-led military action in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, launched by the Afghan National Army and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) against the Taliban on 7 December 2007. After three days of intense fighting, the Taliban retreated into the mountains on 10 December. Musa Qala was officially reported captured on 12 December, with Afghan Army troops pushing into the town centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007</span>

US and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2007.

The Sarposa Prison attack was a raid on the Sarposa Prison in Kandahar, Afghanistan by Taliban insurgents on June 13, 2008. One of the largest attacks by Afghan insurgents, the raid freed 400-1000 prisoners. As of 2008, prison administration was overseen by Abdul Qabir.

Kandahar Central Jail, also known as Sarpuza Prison or Sarposa Prison, is a minimum security prison in Kandahar, Afghanistan. It has been historically used for the incarceration of common criminals of Kandahar Province. In the last two decades, the facility has also been used to hold up Taliban and other insurgents. The name "Sarpuza" is a historical neighborhood in the city of Kandahar. As of 2017, the prison has approximately 1,900 inmates, and its warden is Col. Abdul Wali Hesarak.

United States and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2008.

Operation Kamin was an offensive launched by Taliban insurgents in May 2007 which aimed to kill American-backed government forces and foreign troops in Kandahar.

See also: 2007 in Afghanistan, other events of 2008, 2009 in Afghanistan and Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001-14).

Operation Dragon Strike was a NATO counter-insurgent mission in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, against Taliban forces, which started on September 15, 2010.

The Battle of Kandahar was an attack by Taliban forces on May 7, 2011, in the city of Kandahar. The battle was the biggest Taliban offensive of 2011, marking over 40 total deaths and over 50 total wounded. The fighting demonstrated that, despite heavy losses since 2001, the Taliban forces remain a threat to coalition and Afghan forces, and show that morale in insurgent groups has not died since the killing of Osama bin Laden.

References

  1. 1 2 CTV, "'No doubt' defeated Taliban will be back: general Archived 2008-06-20 at the Wayback Machine ", June 19, 2008
  2. 1 2 BBC News, Anti-Taleban operation launched June 18, 2008
  3. ↑ Sameem, Ismail. Reuters, Afghans start anti-Taliban offensive June 18, 2008
  4. 1 2 3 Wafa, Abdul Waheed and Gall, Carlotta. International Herald Tribune, At least 23 militants killed as Afghan and NATO troops pursue Taliban June 18, 2008
  5. 1 2 3 4 Panetta, Alexander. Canadian Press, Canadian troops encounter bomb, exchange gunfire on patrol in Kandahar City, June 17, 2008
  6. ↑ The Washington Post , "Afghanistan Battles Taliban in South", June 19, 2008
  7. ↑ Time magazine, "Taliban Militants Storm Afghan Jail [ dead link ]", June 13, 2008
  8. ↑ The Daily Telegraph , How Taliban sprang 450 terrorists from Kandahar's Sarposa prison in Afghanistan, June 15, 2008
  9. ↑ Bagram Media Center, Insurgents killed, detained in Kandahar Archived June 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , June 15, 2008
  10. 1 2 3 4 CTV News, Kandahar 'under control': Canadian commander Archived 2008-06-17 at the Wayback Machine , June 17, 2008
  11. 1 2 International Herald Tribune, Taliban takes control of 18 towns in Kandahar, elder says, June 17, 2008
  12. ↑ Bagram Media Center, ANP, Coalition forces patrol Arghandab, reports of militant control unfounded Archived October 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , June 17, 2008
  13. ↑ Fox News, Taliban Prepare for Battle Outside Kandahar as Thousands Flee Area, June 17, 2008
  14. ↑ Smith, Graeme. The Globe and Mail , Canada plans counterattack as Taliban seize villages, June 17, 2008
  15. ↑ Hemming, Jon. International Herald Tribune, Hundreds flee as battle looms in Afghan south, June 17, 2008
  16. 1 2 Boone, Jon. Financial Times , Afghans flee ahead of anti-Taliban push, June 17, 2008
  17. ↑ Khan, Noor. Sydney Morning Herald, Taliban flex muscle around Kandahar, June 18, 2008
  18. ↑ Edmonton Sun, Heavy combat in Afghan's Arghandab district, June 18, 2008
  19. ↑ The Australian, Australian cameraman wounded in Afghanistan Archived 2008-06-20 at the Wayback Machine , June 19, 2008
  20. ↑ Khaleej Times, Afghan civilian killed in anti-Taleban operation: NATO Archived June 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , June 19, 2008

31°39′17″N65°38′58″E / 31.6547°N 65.6494°E / 31.6547; 65.6494

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.