ISIS-K briefly seized the historic Tora Bora cave complex from the Taliban before Afghan government forces retook it within days.
Key Facts
- Battle start
- June 13–14, 2017
- Cave complex retaken
- June 17, 2017
- ISIS-K initial capture
- Tora Bora seized from Taliban
- District
- Pachir Aw Agam District, Afghanistan
- Opposing factions
- ISIS-K vs Taliban, local militias, Afghan Army
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
ISIS–K sought to expand its territorial foothold in eastern Afghanistan by targeting the strategically and symbolically significant Tora Bora cave complex, which was held by Taliban forces. The group's push into Nangarhar Province put it in direct conflict with the Taliban and local Pachir Aw Agam District militias.
Between June 13 and 14, 2017, ISIS–K forces launched an assault and succeeded in capturing the Tora Bora cave complex from the Taliban. Fighting involved the Taliban, ISIS–K, local population militias, and the Afghan National Army across the mountainous terrain surrounding Tora Bora.
Afghan government forces, working alongside anti-ISIS factions, retook Tora Bora from ISIS–K by June 17, 2017. The engagement demonstrated the multi-sided nature of the conflict in Afghanistan, with ISIS–K, the Taliban, and the Afghan state all contesting control over strategically important territory.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
3 belligerents