Operation Karez

Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)

Date	May 13–23, 2008
Location	Badghis province, Afghanistan
Result	Tactical Coalition victory.

Belligerents

ISAF:
•

Norway,
•

Germany,

Afghan National Army

Taliban insurgents

Commanders and leaders

Lt. Col. Kjell Inge Bækken,

Brig. Gen. Dieter Dammjacob

Unknown

Strength

• 250 Norwegian soldiers from Telemark Battalion,
• 60 German soldiers (mainly recce, signal and logistic personnel),
• est. 35 U.S. soldiers (ETT and PSD)
• Afghan National Army forces

150 militants, around 500 support fighters

Casualties and losses

None

13-15 killed 18 direct kills from the US spec. ops. ETT and PSD teams US Army Sniper team, composed of one spotter one shooter added unmatchable combat tools with long rifles and a JTAC certified trigger puller who along with air strikes they also provided estimated another 30-60 enemy KIA's

Operation Karez was a military operation between May 13–23, 2008 involving Norwegian and German ISAF and Afghan government forces against the Taliban as part of the war in Afghanistan. Their objective was to eliminate the presence of Taliban insurgents who had regrouped in the area in the aftermath of Operation Harekate Yolo in late 2007.

It was the second time in half a year that Norwegian and German ISAF forces had participated in a major offensive in the restless Badghis province in western Afghanistan. It was also the first time that the professional soldiers of the Telemark Battalion had participated in actual combat.

The name of the operation derives from the Afghan word for kareez, which is a water management system used to provide a reliable supply of water to human settlements and irrigation in hot, arid and semi-arid climates.

In the aftermath of the tactical victory by the ISAF forces in Operation Harekate Yolo in October–November 2007, the Taliban insurgents fled to the mountainous border regions of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. However, the goal of the operation was not realized, as various aid organisations could not enter the poor Badghis province. This, along with a lack of control of the region by the Afghan government, gave the Taliban insurgents an opportunity to establish a stronghold there.

As a result, the National Joint Headquarters (Fellesoperativt Hovedkvarter - FOHK) prepared elements of the Telemark Battalion, which makes up the Norwegian Quick Response Force (QRF) with its base Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan, to create better security for the central government in the area, which would make it possible for the aid organisations to enter Badghis province and provide assistance for its poor population.

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Wikipedia