Key Facts
- Duration
- November 2010
- Insurgents killed
- 52–150 reported
- Coalition KIA
- 10 (6 from 101st, 1 Ranger, 3 ANA)
- Weapons caches found
- Several large caches including mortars, RPGs, IED components
- ABU platoon casualties
- ~80% (including wounded and ANA KIA)
Strategic Narrative Overview
US and Afghan forces launched a series of nighttime air assaults into remote mountain villages beginning in November 2010. The 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment spearheaded the effort. Heavy resistance was encountered within the first 72 hours; on November 14, a nine-hour firefight in the Watapur area killed five US soldiers. ABU platoon suffered 80% casualties before Kiowa and Apache gunships provided close air support, and ANA Commandos advised by Rangers were later deployed in force to clear the area.
01 / The Origins
By late 2010, the Watapur District of Kunar Province's Pech River Valley had become a key transit corridor for Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters crossing from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Situated just five miles from the Korangal Valley—where US forces had previously ended combat operations—the area was being exploited by insurgents to stage attacks against neighboring provinces and nearby combat outposts such as COP Honaker-Miracle.
03 / The Outcome
By November 25, coalition forces had killed between 52 and 150 insurgents and seized multiple large weapons caches containing mortars, recoilless rifle rounds, RPGs, anti-aircraft rounds, and IED components. Total coalition losses stood at ten killed—six from the 101st Airborne, one Army Ranger, and three Afghan National Army soldiers. The caches were assessed as intended for attacks on nearby coalition positions, and their destruction degraded insurgent capability in the valley.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.