Battle of Wanat

Battle of Wanat
Part of the War in Afghanistan
U.S. Army soldiers guarding Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler the day before the battle.
Date July 13, 2008 Location Nuristan Province, Afghanistan Result Indecisive Tactical Coalition victory Strategic Taliban victory
Belligerents
United States  U.S. Army  Afghanistan Afghan Army	Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Captain Matthew Myer	Sheikh Dost Mohammad
Units involved
2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team	Taliban insurgents
Strength
48 U.S. soldiers 24 Afghan soldiers Close-Air Support	200-500 fighters
Casualties and losses
9 killed, 27 wounded (U.S.) 4 wounded (ANA)	21–52 killed, 45 wounded (U.S. claim)

Indecisive

 United States

 Afghanistan

The Battle of Wanat occurred on July 13, 2008, when about 200-500 Taliban insurgents attacked American troops near Quam, in the Waygal district in Afghanistan's far eastern province of Nuristan. The position was defended primarily by United States Army soldiers of the 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

The Taliban surrounded the remote base and its observation post, attacking it from Quam and surrounding farmland. They destroyed much of the U.S. heavy munitions, broke through American lines, and entered the main base before being repelled by artillery and aircraft. The United States claimed to have killed at least 21 Taliban fighters for the loss of nine U.S. soldiers killed and 27 wounded, and four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers wounded.

The Battle of Wanat has been described as one of the bloodiest Taliban attacks of the war and one of several attacks on remote outposts. In contrast to previous roadside bombings and haphazard attacks and ambushes, this attack was well-coordinated with fighters from many insurgent groups with an effort that was disciplined and sustained which was able to precisely target key equipment such as a wire-guided missile launcher.

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Wikipedia