Operation Medusa

Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)

Date	September 2–17, 2006 (other phases completed mid October)
Location	Panjwaye and Zhari districts, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
Result	Tactical Coalition victory

Belligerents

NATO ISAF:

Canada

Netherlands

United States

United Kingdom

Denmark

Afghanistan

Taliban

Strength

2,000

1,200+

Casualties and losses

Canada:
12 killed
Netherlands:
1 killed
U.S.:
1 killed
U.K.:
14 killed (MR-2 crash)

512 killed,
136 captured

Operation Medusa (September 2–17, 2006) was a Canadian-led offensive during the second Battle of Panjwaii of the war in Afghanistan. The operation was fought primarily by the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group and other elements of the International Security Assistance Force, supported by the Afghan National Army and a team from the United States 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) augmented by United States A Company 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. Its goal was to establish government control over an area of Kandahar Province centered in the district of Panjwayi some 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kandahar city. A tactical victory, it resulted in the deaths of 12 Canadian soldiers; five during the major combat operations, five in bombings, and two in a mortar/RPG attack during the reconstruction phase of the operation. Fourteen British military personnel were also killed when their plane crashed. Despite suffering a brutal battlefield defeat, the Taliban retained their presence in Kandahar province and did not lose their will to fight, leading to the subsequent Operation Falcon Summit.

This area is characterized by numerous small farming villages in the valley of the Arghandab River southwest of Kandahar City. NATO forces believed it to be a Taliban stronghold. It was previously assaulted in the Battle of Panjwaii during the summer of 2006, but Taliban forces quickly re-asserted their presence after the operation ended. Operation Medusa involved most of the Canadian Forces' combat troops in Afghanistan, which provided the bulk of the force there, including troops from 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group as well various company-sized formations from the US Army (Special Operations Forces; Alpha Company 2nd Battalion 4th Infantry Regt; 4th BCT 10th MTN DIV; and members of the Oregon National Guard). Dutch and Danish soldiers were also involved–albeit peripherally, as well as hundreds of Afghan soldiers. The Dutch PzH 2000 howitzer was positioned with the Canadian M777 Howitzers of Echo Battery and made its combat debut with the Dutch Army as fire support.

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Wikipedia