Operation Achilles

Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

82nd Airborne Division patrol the Ghorak Valley of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan during Operation Achilles, March 6.

Date	March 6 – May 30, 2007
Location	Helmand province, Afghanistan
Result	Tactical Coalition victory

Belligerents

Coalition:

United Kingdom,

United States,

Afghan National Army,

Denmark,

Canada,

Netherlands,

Poland

Taliban insurgents

Commanders and leaders

Gen.Dan McNeill

Maj.-Gen. Jacko Page

Mullah Dadullah †,

Mullah Abdul Qassim

Strength

4,200 (United Kingdom),
1,000 (United States),
1,000 (ANA),
320 (Denmark),
300 (Canada),
200 (Netherlands),
80 (Poland)

10,000 (Taliban claim), about 4,000 according to NATO sources

Casualties and losses

19 killed (ANA),
6 killed (UK),
6 killed (Canada),
2 killed (US),
1 killed (Denmark),
1 killed (Netherlands),
Total: 35 killed

Unknown killed, estimates between 750-1,000
28 captured

Operation Achilles was a NATO operation, part of the war in Afghanistan. Its objective was to clear Helmand province of the Taliban. The operation began on March 6, 2007. The offensive is the largest NATO-based operation in Afghanistan to date. NATO officials reported that, contrary to previous operations, Taliban fighters were avoiding direct confrontation in favor of guerilla tactics.

It was led by British ISAF forces and focused on the Kajakai Dam and the towns in the area, which is a major power source for Afghanistan that had not been functioning for a number of years. One part of the mission was Operation Volcano, where British Royal Marines successfully cleared a large Taliban complex near the Kajakai Dam, as well as Operation Kryptonite which actually saw the clearing of the dam by allied forces.

On March 16, U.S. General Dan McNeill reported that NATO forces were battling insurgents in various places in Southern Afghanistan but that most of the rebel fighters were steering clear of Western troops. He also said that NATO would launch new operations against the Taliban during the spring and summer.

Operation Volcano, part of Operation Achilles, saw British Royal Marines clear a Taliban base, consisting of 25 compounds, near the Kajaki hydroelectric dam. The Royal Marines received heavy fire from Taliban assault rifles, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. The Royal Marines systematically cleared the compounds and buildings, backed up by mortars and air support.

On April 3, United States and Afghan forces raided a compound in the Helmand province, after getting a tip-off that a junior Taliban commander was hiding there. Indeed, Taliban forces were present. Heavy fighting broke out, which left at least 10 Taliban dead and two captured. The coalition had no casualties. The fate of the junior commander remains unknown.

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Wikipedia