Operation Karez marked the first combat engagement of Norway's Telemark Battalion and the second major ISAF offensive in Badghis province within six months.
Key Facts
- Operation dates
- May 13–23, 2008
- Duration
- 10 days days
- Province
- Badghis, western Afghanistan
- Telemark Battalion role
- First actual combat participation
- Predecessor operation
- Operation Harekate Yolo (late 2007)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Operation Harekate Yolo in late 2007, Taliban insurgents regrouped in the Badghis province of western Afghanistan. This resurgence posed a continued threat to security in the region and prompted ISAF commanders to plan a follow-on offensive to dismantle the reconstituted insurgent presence.
Between May 13 and 23, 2008, Norwegian and German ISAF forces, alongside Afghan government troops, conducted Operation Karez in Badghis province. The joint operation aimed to eliminate Taliban fighters who had re-established themselves after the previous year's offensive, and notably saw the Telemark Battalion engage in combat for the first time.
Operation Karez represented the second major ISAF offensive in Badghis within half a year, demonstrating the persistent challenge of maintaining security gains in the province. The operation also established a combat record for the Telemark Battalion, marking a significant milestone in Norwegian military participation in Afghanistan.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
3 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent