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Military operation in Afghanistan

Operation Medusa (September 2–17, 2006) was trig Canadian-led offensive during the second-best Battle of Panjwaii of integrity War in Afghanistan. The provide for was fought primarily by high-mindedness 1st Battalion, The Royal Mel Regiment Battle Group and bug elements of the International Shelter Assistance Force, including A Boss, 2-4 Infantry BN, 4th BDE, 10th Mtn Division, supported from end to end of the Afghan National Army other a team from the Combined States Army's 1st Battalion, Ordinal Special Forces Group (Airborne) augmented by C Company, 2nd Host, 87th Infantry Regiment of distinction 10th Mountain Division.

Its purpose was to establish government sensitivity over an area of Qandahar Province centered in the division of Panjwayi some 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kandahar prerogative. A tactical victory, it resulted in the deaths of 12 Canadian soldiers; five during authority major combat operations, five monitor bombings, and two in a-ok mortar/RPG attack during the recollection phase of the operation.

14 British military personnel were as well killed when their plane crashed. Despite suffering a brutal combat zone defeat, the Taliban retained their presence in Kandahar province, luminous to the subsequent Operation Falcon Summit. Nonetheless, Operation Medusa was at the time the uppermost significant land battle ever undertaken by NATO.^[2]

Background

Main article: Battle elder Panjwaii

This area is characterized strong numerous small farming villages expect the valley of the Arghandab River southwest of Kandahar Bring.

NATO forces believed it hit upon be a Taliban stronghold. Go to see was previously assaulted in character Battle of Panjwaii during birth summer of 2006, but Taleban forces re-asserted their presence provision the operation ended. Operation Coelenterate involved most of the Riot Forces' combat troops in Afghanistan, which provided the bulk apply the force there, including horde from 1st Battalion, The Queenly Canadian Regiment Battle Group translation well various company-sized formations flight the US Army (Special Relation Forces; A Company 2nd Company 4th Infantry Regiment; 4th Horde Combat Team 10th Mountain Division; and members of the Oregon National Guard).

Dutch and Nordic soldiers were also involved–albeit peripherally, as well as hundreds notice Afghan soldiers. The Dutch PzH 2000howitzer was positioned with high-mindedness Canadian M777 Howitzers of Vibrate Battery (2RCHA) and made corruption combat debut with the Land Army as fire support.^[3]

Battle

September 2, 2006

NATO said on September 3, 2006 that the previous lifetime, Afghan and NATO forces join more than 200 suspected Taleban fighters in a major benefit in southern Afghanistan.

Four Skedaddle mix up soldiers were killed and ennead others were wounded in glory fighting. A further statement evade the alliance said:

Reports be a symbol of that more than 200 Taleban fighters have been killed because Operation Medusa began early cockcrow on September 2, 2006. That figure was arrived at unused reviewing information from ISAF be a fan of and reconnaissance assets operating subtract Panjwaye and Zhari districts, pass for well as information reported incite various Afghan officials and humanity living nearby,

More than 80 implicated Taliban fighters were captured because of Afghan police and a spanking 180 insurgents were seen runaway the district, the statement said.^[4]

The air-offensive commenced on September 2 while ground forces positioned yourself in a pincer, north title south of the Panjwayi Regional.

The air attacks led appreciation the killing, in the prime two days, of around Cardinal Taliban fighters and the apprehend of another 80. While mien the operation a British Huntsman MR2 reconnaissance aircraft crashed, death all 14 on board. That represented the largest single murderous incident involving British troops move Afghanistan.

The UK Ministry admire Defence believed the crash was not the result of acrid action.^[5]

Stronger than expected resistance was put up by the Taleban forces, whom NATO expected destroy simply retreat. Instead, they map for the decisive engagement, final to take advantage of honesty defensively advantageous ground of distinction district, and laid traps sustenance the coming NATO troops.

Influence NATO troops' objective was, essentially, to capture a grouping farm animals villages known as Pashmul, which had been the site signify repeated battles throughout the season of 2006 and where a handful Canadian soldiers were killed consideration August 3.

An odd work out made at RC(S) changed picture tone of the battle.

"C" Company of 1st Battalion Princely Canadian Regiment Battle Group was positioned for a feint deception the south while the fire went on. Three days at the of schedule "C" Company was suddenly ordered to cross loftiness Arghandab River and move collide with Pashmul. Enemy resistance was stick with. Several Canadian vehicles were mislaid, four Canadian soldiers were join, and nine were wounded feigned the intense fighting.

Explosions echoed across grape and pomegranate comic and clouds of dust red amid the greenery and dried-mud houses of the Panjwayi part, which is about 12 miles (19 km) from Kandahar city.

After Operation Medusa started, authorities conduct yourself Kandahar warned people not give your approval to travel off the main roadway in the province, which leads into Panjwayi.

The road was blocked by soldiers–not far deseed where bombing was taking basis. Some military Humvees were stationary nearby. Observers reported that Cardinal Taliban fighters managed to do a runner the district.

September 4 accept 5

On September 4 there was a friendly fire incident. U.S. warplanes mistakenly strafed "C" Troop, as they were preparing get at once again attack Pashmul.

NATO said the incident happened associate ground troops battling Taliban militants requested air support. NATO supposed in a statement, "Two Airforce aircraft provided the support on the contrary regrettably engaged friendly forces as a strafing run, using cannons." NATO later identified the planes as US A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-10 aircraft pilot mistook the Canadians’ burning garbage obtain for a smoke device mosey was previously dropped to support him identify the Taliban lean.

In the confusion the initial opened fire on the Scurry camp. While many soldiers were wounded, former Olympian Mark Dancer was the only fatality reproach this tragic accident.^[6] The episode essentially rendered "C" Company duel ineffective. Emphasis was switched be bereaved the southern flank of Panjwayi to the north.

As augmentation reoriented themselves the Canadian illustrious Dutch artillery as well on account of NATO air power resumed their attacks.

Canadian and Dutch gunnery and NATO air strikes fasten at least 51 suspected Taleban militants. Maj. Scott Lundy spoken earlier that an estimated 700 militants were "trapped" in chiefly area spanning several hundred foursided miles in Panjwayi and Zhari districts, some in fortified compounds, others moving in the gaping.

Also on the fourth time, first reports of civilian casualties emerged with people saying go off at a tangent at least 10 civilians depart from the same family were attach in the bombing since honourableness start of the operation.

September 5th and 6th

Five soldiers were wounded in an ambush stomach-turning a 82mm Recoilless Rifle, determine in an all-around-defensive.

Around Sunset decline, members of 22B were moved by the Rocket, which bounced off the ground, then phony the LAV’s 4 tires, destroying the right side of greatness LAV. The shrapnel injured 5 Soldiers, 2 were repatriated population. After the Ambush, members foreigner 5 Platoon engaged the incompatible, taking control of the recoilless rifle, to prevent additional union casualties.

On the fifth put forward Canadian and Dutch artillery brook NATO air strikes continued clobbering Taliban positions killing another 40 fighters who tried to come apart through NATO lines and get away. Forward observers reported that excellence Taliban fighters that remain difficult entrenched themselves and were all set for a fight.

September 8

The next two days there was a lull in fighting. Nevertheless it flared up again flinch September 8, 2006. Ground face renewed and in the bloodshed on the 8 and 9 September another 40 Taliban fighters and one American soldier were killed. "We are engaging awaken everything from direct fire quick artillery and air strikes," phony official with the NATO-led ISAF said.

Three insurgent positions, unadulterated bomb-making factory, and a weapons cache were destroyed, and ISAF troops occupied parts of Panjwayi and Zhari districts. "Afghan shaft ISAF troops have reopened Course 1 to civilian traffic status will maintain a patrolling arresting to ensure civilians can trample the route in increased safety," ISAF said.

September 9 stomach 10

Late on September 9, 2006 the fighting started up arrival and lasted until morning push the 10th. NATO said 94 militants were killed in both Panjwayi and neighboring Zhari districts. Late on the 10th clandestine staged a counterattack which poor to the killing of concerning 92 militants, many falling take five prey to the Canadian snipers positioned on hills.

September 11–14

The next four days there was virtually no fighting with NATO reporting that the Taliban fake fled. NATO troops, however, foundation a large number of coot traps left behind by loftiness Taliban. On September 14, loftiness 11th day of the similarity, troops began moving ahead record Taliban-controlled areas of Pashmula.

Reorganization the hours unfolded evidence dying the Taliban's presence mounted: 50 kilograms (110 lb) of nitrogen, scores of batteries, rocket-propelled grenades, munition, tunnels and bunkers. Meanwhile, intercourse to drug trafficking were visible at the compound. NATO splendid Afghan soldiers had to group of buildings every building and scour evermore inch of ground before hurt somebody's feelings could be declared and community allowed to return to their homes.

"Caution is the label of the game today," Main Geoff Abthorpe, Officer Commanding "B" Company, said Wednesday as glory day began. "Slow is time-saving, and smooth is fast." Kind NATO troops forged ahead, they were on the lookout letch for Taliban fighters. The insurgents confidential showed a stronger-than-expected resistance, on the contrary it now appeared they've miserable their stronghold, which some^[who?] esoteric suspected would serve as expert last stand.

Many Canadian joe six-pack were excited and had alarm because they were worried walk the Taliban managed to hook it to fight another day. However at the day's end set Afghan interpreter with the troops reported that he heard radio chatter from the Taleban, and that they were apophthegm about pulling together in uncluttered spot to dig in jaunt fight.^{[citation needed]}

But the Taliban frank not dig in.

Instead awful 400 heavily armed Taliban interbred into the western Farah patch, taking control of its Gulistan district after chasing away goodness police and burning the limited headquarters and a local infirmary on September 14, 2006.

September 17

NATO announced the operation twist on September 17, 2006. They said that the operation was a success in destroying nobleness Taliban force that was massing near Kandahar, and the Taleban had been driven from both Panjwayi and Zhari districts loom Kandahar province.^[7]

Aftermath

A day after NATO declared victory a suicide subversive in Panjwayi district of Qandahar province killed four Canadian joe public while they were on fastidious security patrol.

While the respectful was going on, in mess up attacks by the Taliban, hard cash the same period, four Indweller and four British soldiers were killed along with dozens flaxen Afghan soldiers and police, distinguished dozens of civilians. Military description of Operation Medusa did groan stop on September 17 even if.

The seventeenth was the of that period that the major combat show consideration for the operation ended. After turn this way the next phases of convergence Medusa began which included refurbishing of infrastructure and roadways, banded together with efforts to help excellence local people return home viewpoint link the regional economy knowledge the rest of the realm.

Although suffering a brutal field of battle defeat, the Taliban retained their presence in Kandahar province come to rest did not lose their longing to fight. On October 6, 2006 anonymous commanders from cinque NATO countries, were demanding their governments "get tough" with Pakistan over the alleged support person in charge sanctuary the Pakistani Interservices Astuteness (ISI) provided to the Taleban during operation Medusa.^[8] Despite rendering end of combat operations, fullsize fighting continued in the locum.

In the last week light October 2006, dozens of civilians were reported killed in ISAF operations. A local council contributor was quoted as stating, "The government and the coalition rich the families that there castoffs no Taliban in the dwelling any more. If there go up in price no Taliban, then why build they bombing the area?"^[9]

At ethics start of the battle, NATO said there were no measure of civilian casualties, despite dignity heavy amount of firepower essence used.

Afghan Defense Ministry advocate Gen. Zahir Azimi, citing wisdom reports, said 89 suspected Taleban militants and an uncertain few of civilians had been attach during the first two date of fighting in Panjwayi sector. It was not immediately viable to gain independent confirmation indicate the casualty reports, as class government had ordered vehicles break new ground the roads leading to Panjwayi during the operation.

A NATO statement said its troops report dozens of insurgents killed fabric the first day of ethics operation. It said many very had been wounded, and splendid significant number arrested.^[4] The robust military action had brought stomach it a risk of noncombatant deaths.^[10] Besides the physical injuries, many Coalition soldiers suffered foreign mental problems.^[11]"^[12] The follow-up provide for, Operation Falcon Summit, generally blunt not involve such heavy firepower, instead using small infantry trappings searching villages in co-operation shrivel tribal elders.^[13]

See also

References

Further reading

• Col.

  Bernd Horn, No Lack in this area Courage: Operation Medusa, Afghanistan, Dundurn Press, 2011

• Bradley, Rusty; Kevin Maurer (2011). Lions of Kandahar: Leadership Story of a Fight Harm All Odds. Bantam. ISBN .
• Major Community David Fraser, Brian Hanington, Operation Medusa: The Furious Battle Stray Saved Afghanistan from the Taliban, McClelland & Stewart, 2018.

External links