Throughout all of Afghanistan, there is that one part that troops know they don't want to be sent to. Over 40 American servicemen and countless Afghan troops have been killed in this one area alone. The Korengal Valley is on the Eastern part of Afghanistan and borders Northern Pakistan. This area is a very strategic location for Taliban fighters, as the US has limited involvement in Pakistan (mainly just drone strikes, after the Bin-Laden raid there is no question SOCOM has involvement as well) and this is where many of them cross the border.
The terrain within the Korengal Valley is very mountainous and hilly. This makes it difficult for ISAFs to secure the area. What they do, is set up numerous firebases and patrol the surrounding areas. Some of the territories throughout the valley are known Taliban strongholds, and it is almost expected that there will be fighting there when patrolled.
It is hard to fight there, especially when relations with the local tribal leaders are extremely important. Though the ISAF does its best to avoid them, incidents do happen. An accidental bombing of a village, a stray mortar landing in a school yard. This is in addition to the punishment that the Taliban initiates for collaboration. There is no question about it, life in the Korengal Valley is tough for everyone.
The Soviets had a lot of problems with the Korengal valley when they invaded afghanistan in the 1980's, i wish our commanders could look back and use the knowledge of the failed soviet campaign and get our boys out of there. Give me one good reason to keep our boys in danger? not like they even have oil
ReplyDeleteyup, sounds pretty tough :(
ReplyDeleteVery tough and very tragic :(
ReplyDeleteThe wars are unjustifiable We don't need to police the world when we are doing so bad at home.
ReplyDeleteThe korengal valley sounds like a tough spot for sure great post, thank you for teaching me more about that region. The news has been useless
sounds tough dude very sad
ReplyDeleteAfghanistan, the single most impossible country to invade and then hold...will definitely read more of your posts, cause the news doesnt cover enough of the actual war, its a sad sad thing that war is though..
ReplyDeleteI feel worst for the civilians caught in the combat zone.
ReplyDeleteThis is devastating. I hate to see people suffer like this. Following you blog.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand why there must be so much pain and suffering in the world. I'd like to think that diplomacy could solve the issues, but a shocking number of situations end in bloodshed. Hearing a story like this just brings the events to life.
ReplyDeleteSounds really dangerous..
ReplyDeleteI know a guy from my school who wen't to that place and died. That's why my entire school are now Ron Paul supporters.
ReplyDeletei feel sorry for all these people.
ReplyDeletebut your doing a great job with posting this stuff.
i will follow ur blog man!
Thanks for the info, I've got a cousin over there.
ReplyDeleteTerrible circumstances.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear but I guess things like these are always going to happen. Thanks for keeping us updated!
ReplyDeletegreat stuff mmmm
ReplyDeleteGreat blog man, very very interesting subject matter. I can just imagine going into bad areas in Afghanistan before having my head blown off.
ReplyDelete