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Battle of Musa Qala

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Battle of Musa Qala
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
DateDecember 7 - December 10 2007
Location
Musa Qala, Helmand province, Afghanistan
Result Coalition Victory
Belligerents
Afghan National Army,
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)		 Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Bismillah Khan Enqiadi [1]
Strength
4,500 ISAF and Afghan National Army forces.[2] 2,000+[2]
Casualties and losses
2 British ISAF soldiers killed
 22 Taliban fighters killed, 10 captured
20+ civilians killed

The Battle of Musa Qala is a military clash in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, launched by the Afghan National Army and the International Security Assistance Force against the Taliban. Begun on 7 December, 2007, the battle is on-going; fierce fighting is expected for days.[2]

It is the first British battle in the war in Afghanistan in which Afghan units are the principal fighting force and statements from the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) have emphasized that the operation is Afghan-led.[3] According to one British commander, Afghan units intend to "pour into the town and hold it from Taliban militants."[4]

Background

Musa Qala is a town of 2,000 people; much of it has been destroyed in previous fighting.[5] August 2006 saw a contingent of British and Afghan troops disrupt Taliban operations in the Musa Qala area, after fierce fighting (Operation Snakebite).[6]

British forces continued in occupation of the area up until October 2006. In a controversial move, control was then ceded to local tribal elders in conjunction with the Taliban.[7] The deal was intended to see neither British forces nor Taliban in the town in an effort to reduce conflict. At the time, a British officer noted: "There is an obvious danger that the Taliban could make the deal and then renege on it."[5] The Taliban did renege, over-running the town in February 2007. They went on to establish a drug trade and a headquarters. It is the only significant town held by the Taliban and is at the centre of a major opium poppy growing area.[8]

Immediate prelude

Two thousand militants are reported to be holding the town.[2] This is similar to the 2,050 "fully armed fighters" reported by one Taliban commander, Enqiadi, in late November; at the time, he seemed confident that all of Helmand province would fall to the Taliban in the winter of 2007-08.[1]

Military manoeuvres and build-up had carried on for weeks prior to the assault.[9] On 1 November, British forces had started reconnaissance patrols in preparation for the attack.[10] In the middle of that month, the MOD reported that troops from 40 Commando and the Right Flank Company of the Scots Guards were patrolling outside the town to confuse the Taliban and disrupt their supply routes.[11]

The Battle

7 December: Air support for the operation began, with several Taliban reportedly killed in U.S. air strikes.[12] That evening, hundreds of U.S. soldiers were dropped in, on a reported 19 helicopters, and fought through the night to clear the way for further ground troops.[2]

Sgt Lee Johnson

8 December: British and Afghan troops mounted a joint attack: attacking from the south, west, and east of the town, they exchanged intense gunfire with the Taliban.[8] That day, the Afghan Ministry of Defense reported: "In this operation so far, 12 terrorists were killed, one captured and a number of weapons and ammunitions were seized."[9] Sgt Lee Johnson of the 2nd Battalion (Green Howards), Yorkshire Regiment was killed shortly after 10am, when his vehicle drove over a mine.[13] Two children were also killed when their vehicle was caught in a firefight.[9] Afghan police have said a 12 year old boy was reputedly hanged by the Taliban for working as a NATO spy.[12]

9 December: Taliban forces withdrew to take up new position to defend the town. Taliban sources have suggested that militants from nearby areas are entering the town to reinforce its defence.[4]

10 December: NATO advised that the Taliban insurgents had withdrawn north from the area and Afghan Army units and NATO forces were in control of the town.[14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Tassal, Aziz Ahmad (29 November, 2007). "Musa Qala: The shape of things to come". International Relations and Security Network. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Fierce battle rages for Taliban stronghold". The Guardian. 9 December, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ ""Time is now right" for retaking Musa Qaleh - Browne". Defence News. British Ministry of Defence. December 7, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
  4. ^ a b "Coalition troops advance on Taliban-held town". CTV. 9 December, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Smith, Mick (1 October, 2006). "Message to the Politicians: Let the Soldiers Get on with their Job!". The Times. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Operation Snakebite dislodges Taliban Forces in Musa Qaleh". Defence News. British Ministry of Defence. 8 August, 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Roggio, Bill (7 December, 2007). "The Battle for Musa Qala Has Begun". Weekly Standard. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Fighting rages for Taleban town". BBC News. 9 December, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b c "NATO soldier killed in Musa Qala operation: Afghanistan". Khaleej Times. 8 December, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Starkey J (2007-12-06). "Exodus as British set to attack Taleban". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2007-12-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "British troops push north into Musa Qaleh". Defence News. British Ministry of Defence. 14 November, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) The Scots Guards do not name individual companies in the standard fashion; "Right Flank" is the name for the senior company in the battalion.
  12. ^ a b "Afghan and NATO Forces Surround Taliban-Held Town; 15 Die in Fighting". Voice of America. 7 December, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Yorkshire Regiment News Page
  14. ^ BBC Online News- Afghan troops take Taliban town
  15. ^ UK Ministry of Defence News Item - Musa Qala
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