Key Facts
- Date
- 3–4 September 2009
- ISAF wounded
- 2 (minor injuries)
- Insurgents killed
- 13
- Insurgents injured
- 3
- ISAF convoy size
- 30 vehicles, ~100 soldiers
- Duration of final engagement
- 6 hours
Strategic Narrative Overview
Spanish forces seized control of the pass on 31 July 2009. After regrouping, insurgents ambushed the ISAF detachment on 3 September, wounding two Spanish soldiers. On 4 September a 100-strong Spanish convoy escorting Afghan police was ambushed simultaneously from four directions. Troops returned fire and called in two Italian Mangusta attack helicopters, which struck Taliban positions; fixed-wing air strikes were withheld due to a nearby civilian settlement.
01 / The Origins
Throughout the summer of 2009, Taliban insurgents repeatedly attacked military convoys on Sabzak Pass in Badghis province, the sole road supplying Qal'eh-ye and Herat. NATO deployed Spanish ISAF troops to secure the pass after the Taliban's local control collapsed. Taliban mullah Jamuladdin Mansoor, backed by Tajik warlord Ishan Khan and militant Tajik tribals, sought to deny ISAF use of this strategic corridor.
03 / The Outcome
After six hours of combat on 4 September, the Taliban and allied tribals withdrew to the village of Marghozar. ISAF suffered only two lightly wounded personnel and two disabled vehicles, while 13 insurgents were killed and 3 injured. The engagement allowed NATO forces to maintain control of Sabzak Pass and continue protecting the supply route into Herat.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Jamuladdin Mansoor (Taliban mullah), Ishan Khan (Tajik warlord).
Side B
1 belligerent
Sergeant José Enrique Serrano.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.