Uzbin Valley ambush

Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Map the districts of Kabul, with Spēṟ Kunday marked in red.

Date	18 August 2008
Location	Surobi District, Afghanistan
Result	ISAF military victory but Taliban strategic and propaganda victory

Belligerents

France

United States

Afghanistan

Taliban insurgents

Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin

Commanders and leaders

Capitaine Arnaud Crézé (8ème RPIMa)

Colonel de Cevins (RMT)

Zabihullah Mujahed
Khalid Farooqi
Omar Khattab
Mullah Rahmatullah

Strength

~100 initially, with another 400 reinforcements

~140 initially, with ~150 reinforcements

Casualties and losses

France:
10 killed,
21 wounded
ANA:
4 wounded

10-80 killed,
18-30 wounded

3 killed and 4 wounded according to the Afghan War Diary

Coordinates: 34°39′42.89″N 69°50′56.91″E / 34.6619139°N 69.8491417°E / 34.6619139; 69.8491417

Capitaine Arnaud Crézé (8ème RPIMa)

10-80 killed,
18-30 wounded

The Uzbin Valley ambush occurred when French ISAF troops were ambushed by Afghan militants in eastern Afghanistan on 18 August 2008. It took place outside the village of Spēṟ Kunday, of the Surobi District of Kabul province and resulted in heavy casualties to the French ISAF contingent.

A NATO report of the incident summarised that the surviving members of the Coalition forces were "lucky to escape" arguing that they were poorly equipped, ill-organised and faced a well-prepared enemy. However, this version was denied by the French government. Later reports claimed that until then the relative calm of the region had only been obtained by bribery, of which the French were unaware.

The sector of Surobi was under Italian control between 2006 and 2007. At the time, Italian troops crossed the 35th parallel only once, as the region beyond was considered to be dangerous. Then and until August 2008, responsibility of the Surobi district switched to 140 Italian troops who had undertaken development projects for the local population, as part of ISAF's "comprehensive approach" strategy. The district was considered a successful example of establishing security, and was considered a quiet region despite the known presence of militants loyal to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in remote areas. The Italian government understands its mandate to be a stabilisation mission, without armed operations.

...
Wikipedia