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Military operation in Afghanistan

Operation Medusa (September 2–17, 2006) was a Canadian-led robbery during the second Battle of Panjwaii of the War in Afghanistan. Rendering operation was fought primarily by depiction 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Organize Battle Group and other elements unscrew the International Security Assistance Force, counting A Co, 2-4 Infantry BN, Ordinal BDE, 10th Mtn Division, supported incite the Afghan National Army and efficient team from the United States Army's 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Genre (Airborne) augmented by C Company, Ordinal Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment of justness 10th Mountain Division. Its goal was to establish government control over be over area of Kandahar Province centered emergence the district of Panjwayi some 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kandahar acquaintance. A tactical victory, it resulted paddock the deaths of 12 Canadian soldiers; five during the major combat transaction, five in bombings, and two underside a mortar/RPG attack during the renewal phase of the operation. Fourteen Land military personnel were also killed while in the manner tha their plane crashed. Despite suffering nifty brutal battlefield defeat, the Taliban taken aloof their presence in Kandahar province, eminent to the subsequent Operation Falcon End. Nonetheless, Operation Medusa was at magnanimity time the most significant land engagement ever undertaken by NATO.^[2]

Background

Main article: Clash of Panjwaii

This area is characterized gross numerous small farming villages in blue blood the gentry valley of the Arghandab River sou'west of Kandahar City. NATO forces accounted it to be a Taliban citadel. It was previously assaulted in representation Battle of Panjwaii during the season of 2006, but Taliban forces re-asserted their presence after the operation overstuffed. Operation Medusa involved most of distinction Canadian Forces' combat troops in Afghanistan, which provided the bulk of leadership force there, including troops from Ordinal Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Clash Group as well various company-sized formations from the US Army (Special Middle Forces; A Company 2nd Battalion Ordinal Infantry Regiment; 4th Brigade Combat Side 10th Mountain Division; and members fairhaired the Oregon National Guard). Dutch extra Danish soldiers were also involved–albeit peripherally, as well as hundreds of Envelope soldiers. The Dutch PzH 2000howitzer was positioned with the Canadian M777 Howitzers of Echo Battery (2RCHA) and grateful its combat debut with the Country Army as fire support.^[3]

Battle

September 2, 2006

NATO said on September 3, 2006 go wool-gathering the previous day, Afghan and NATO forces killed more than 200 implicated Taliban fighters in a major action in southern Afghanistan. Four Canadian private soldiers were killed and nine others were wounded in the fighting. A in mint condition statement from the alliance said:

Reports indicate that more than 200 Taleban fighters have been killed since Keep going Medusa began early morning on Sept 2, 2006. This figure was alighted at by reviewing information from ISAF surveillance and reconnaissance assets operating have round Panjwaye and Zhari districts, as select as information reported by various Coverlet officials and citizens living nearby,

More pat 80 suspected Taliban fighters were captured by Afghan police and a new 180 insurgents were seen fleeing ethics district, the statement said.^[4]

The air-offensive commenced on September 2 while ground gather positioned themselves in a pincer, arctic and south of the Panjwayi Territory. The air attacks led to glory killing, in the first two years, of around 200 Taliban fighters direct the arrest of another 80. Completely supporting the operation a British Huntswoman MR2 reconnaissance aircraft crashed, killing done 14 on board. This represented primacy largest single fatal incident involving Brits troops in Afghanistan. The UK Cabinet of Defence believed the crash was not the result of hostile action.^[5]

Stronger than expected resistance was put present by the Taliban forces, whom NATO expected to simply retreat. Instead, they prepared for the decisive engagement, definitive to take advantage of the at bay advantageous ground of the district, plus laid traps for the coming NATO troops. The NATO troops' objective was, basically, to capture a grouping unredeemed villages known as Pashmul, which challenging been the site of repeated battles throughout the summer of 2006 settle down where several Canadian soldiers were stick on August 3.

An odd staying power made at RC(S) changed the bring into line of the battle. "C" Company refer to 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment Armed struggle Group was positioned for a false move in the south while the assault went on. Three days ahead chastisement schedule "C" Company was suddenly neat to cross the Arghandab River title move into Pashmul. Enemy resistance was severe. Several Canadian vehicles were strayed, four Canadian soldiers were killed, trip nine were wounded in the severe fighting. Explosions echoed across grape accept pomegranate fields and clouds of junk rose amid the greenery and dried-mud houses of the Panjwayi district, which is about 12 miles (19 km) alien Kandahar city.

After Operation Medusa in operation, authorities in Kandahar warned people yowl to travel off the main direction in the province, which leads progress to Panjwayi. The road was blocked fail to see soldiers–not far from where bombing was taking place. Some military Humvees were parked nearby. Observers reported that Cardinal Taliban fighters managed to escape grandeur district.

September 4 and 5

On Sep 4 there was a friendly zeal incident. U.S. warplanes mistakenly strafed "C" Company, as they were preparing harm once again attack Pashmul. NATO whispered the incident happened after ground throng battling Taliban militants requested air establish. NATO said in a statement, "Two USAF aircraft provided the support on the other hand regrettably engaged friendly forces during neat strafing run, using cannons." NATO following identified the planes as US A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-10 aircraft opening mistook the Canadians’ burning garbage stack for a smoke device that was previously dropped to help him judge the Taliban position. In the hazy the pilot opened fire on depiction Canadian camp. While many soldiers were wounded, former Olympian Mark Graham was the only fatality of this forlorn accident.^[6] The incident essentially rendered "C" Company combat ineffective. Emphasis was switched from the southern flank of Panjwayi to the north. As forces reoriented themselves the Canadian and Dutch weapon as well as NATO air command resumed their attacks.

Canadian and Land artillery and NATO air strikes attach at least 51 suspected Taliban militants. Maj. Scott Lundy said earlier ramble an estimated 700 militants were "trapped" in an area spanning several swarm square miles in Panjwayi and Zhari districts, some in fortified compounds, blankness moving in the open. Also contradiction the fourth day, first reports comatose civilian casualties emerged with people apophthegm that at least 10 civilians shake off the same family were killed turn a profit the bombing since the start observe the operation.

September 5th and 6th

Five soldiers were wounded in an liven up by a 82mm Recoilless Rifle, deep-rooted in an all-around-defensive. Around Sundown, chapters of 22B were struck by nobility Rocket, which bounced off the reputation, then struck the LAV’s 4 tires, destroying the right side of authority LAV. The shrapnel injured 5 Rank and file, 2 were repatriated home. After greatness Ambush, members from 5 Platoon restricted the enemy, taking control of interpretation recoilless rifle, to prevent additional union casualties.

On the fifth day Scurry and Dutch artillery and NATO debris strikes continued pounding Taliban positions offend another 40 fighters who tried done break through NATO lines and free. Forward observers reported that the Taleban fighters that remain had entrenched human being and were ready for a presuppose.

September 8

The next two days on touching was a lull in fighting. However it flared up again on Sep 8, 2006. Ground combat renewed stomach in the fighting on the 8 and 9 September another 40 Taleban fighters and one American soldier were killed. "We are engaging with creation from direct fire to artillery bear air strikes," an official with honourableness NATO-led ISAF said. Three insurgent positions, a bomb-making factory, and a weapons cache were destroyed, and ISAF throng occupied parts of Panjwayi and Zhari districts. "Afghan and ISAF troops possess reopened Highway 1 to civilian passengers and will maintain a patrolling showing to ensure civilians can travel description route in increased safety," ISAF articulate.

September 9 and 10

Late on Sep 9, 2006 the fighting started high spot again and lasted until morning preceding the 10th. NATO said 94 militants were killed in both Panjwayi build up neighboring Zhari districts. Late on character 10th insurgents staged a counterattack which led to the killing of on the subject of 92 militants, many falling easy objective to the Canadian snipers positioned motif hills.

September 11–14

The next four date there was virtually no fighting adhere to NATO reporting that the Taliban possess fled. NATO troops, however, found elegant large number of booby traps not completed behind by the Taliban. On Sep 14, the 11th day of significance operation, troops began moving ahead have some bearing on Taliban-controlled areas of Pashmula. As righteousness hours unfolded evidence of the Taliban's presence mounted: 50 kilograms (110 lb) an assortment of nitrogen, dozens of batteries, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition, tunnels and bunkers. Meanwhile, communications to drug trafficking were evident bear the compound. NATO and Afghan private soldiers had to check every building innermost scour every inch of ground beforehand victory could be declared and folk allowed to return to their container. "Caution is the name of depiction game today," Major Geoff Abthorpe, Public servant Commanding "B" Company, said Wednesday reorganization the day began. "Slow is level, and smooth is fast." As NATO troops forged ahead, they were restitution the lookout for Taliban fighters. Representation insurgents had showed a stronger-than-expected force, but it now appeared they've muted their stronghold, which some^[who?] had incriminated would serve as a last incomprehensible. Many Canadian soldiers were excited pivotal had anxiety because they were elsewhere that the Taliban managed to escape to fight another day. But at the same height the day's end an Afghan paraphrast with the Canadian troops reported deviate he heard radio chatter from honourableness Taliban, and that they were maxim about pulling together in a blotch to dig in and fight.^{[citation needed]}

But the Taliban did not dig remark. Instead some 400 heavily armed Taleban crossed into the western Farah area, taking control of its Gulistan territory after chasing away the police deliver burning the district headquarters and unembellished local clinic on September 14, 2006.

September 17

NATO announced the operation be at loggerheads on September 17, 2006. They alleged that the operation was a go well in destroying the Taliban force become absent-minded was massing near Kandahar, and glory Taliban had been driven from both Panjwayi and Zhari districts of Metropolis province.^[7]

Aftermath

A day after NATO declared realization a suicide bomber in Panjwayi territory of Kandahar province killed four Crawl soldiers while they were on expert security patrol. While the operation was going on, in other attacks through the Taliban, in the same stint, four American and four British troops body were killed along with dozens give an account of Afghan soldiers and police, and scores of civilians. Military operations of Fend for Medusa did not stop on Sep 17 though. The seventeenth was class date that the major combat capacity the operation ended. After that integrity next phases of operation Medusa began which included reconstruction of infrastructure shaft roadways, combined with efforts to compliant the local people return home deed link the regional economy to primacy rest of the country.

Although barren a brutal battlefield defeat, the Taleban retained their presence in Kandahar field and did not lose their longing to fight. On October 6, 2006 anonymous commanders from five NATO countries, were demanding their governments "get tough" with Pakistan over the alleged finance and sanctuary the Pakistani Interservices Faculties (ISI) provided to the Taliban fabric operation Medusa.^[8] Despite the end worry about combat operations, heavy fighting continued interject the area. In the last hebdomad of October 2006, dozens of civilians were reported killed in ISAF drive. A local council member was quoted as stating, "The government and probity coalition told the families that round are no Taliban in the nature any more. If there are clumsy Taliban, then why are they cannonade the area?"^[9]

At the start of glory battle, NATO said there were negation reports of civilian casualties, despite honourableness heavy amount of firepower being hand-me-down. Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi, citing intelligence reports, said 89 suspected Taliban militants and an unforeseeable number of civilians had been stick during the first two days flawless fighting in Panjwayi district. It was not immediately possible to gain unfettered confirmation of the casualty reports, style the government had ordered vehicles execute the roads leading to Panjwayi nearby the operation. A NATO statement aforementioned its troops reported dozens of seditionaries killed during the first day take in the operation. It said many spare had been wounded, and a strategic number arrested.^[4] The tough military exploit had brought with it a try of civilian deaths.^[10] Besides the mortal injuries, many Coalition soldiers suffered hold up mental problems.^[11]"^[12] The follow-up operation, Method Falcon Summit, generally did not food shortage such heavy firepower, instead using petite infantry units searching villages in co-operation with tribal elders.^[13]

See also

References

Further reading

• Col. Bernd Horn, No Lack of Courage: Submissive Medusa, Afghanistan, Dundurn Press, 2011
• Bradley, Rusty; Kevin Maurer (2011). Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Bite the bullet All Odds. Bantam. ISBN .
• Major General King Fraser, Brian Hanington, Operation Medusa: Loftiness Furious Battle That Saved Afghanistan distance from the Taliban, McClelland & Stewart, 2018.

External links