Battle of Shawali Kowt
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Shawali Kowt took place near the Arghandab River
in Afghanistan
during the Invasion of Afghanistan. On December 2, 2001, after a pitched street-by-street battle, the Green Berets
and Afghan Freedom Fighters captured the town of Shawali Kowt, but could not gain control over a vital bridge over the Arghandab River
, the gateway to the Taliban spiritual center of Kandahar
. That night, the Taliban forces launched a major counterattack, triggering a retreat by the Afghans. Over the next eight hours, despite being outnumbered two to one and in grave danger and being overrun, the Americans fought back hard. Air Force Sgt. Alex Yoshimoto, the combat controller, orchestrated numerous air strikes from a variety of fighters and bombers, thwarting the Taliban charge and forcing the enemy to retreat.
Arghandab River
Arghandab is a river in Afghanistan, about in length. It rises in the Hazarajat country north-west of Ghazni, and flows south-west falls into the Helmand below Girishk. In its lower course it is much used for irrigation, and the valley is cultivated and populous; yet the water is said to be...
in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
during the Invasion of Afghanistan. On December 2, 2001, after a pitched street-by-street battle, the Green Berets
Green Berets
A green beret was the headgear of the British Commandos of World War II. Certain military organisations still wear green berets because they have regimental or unit histories that form a connection with the British Commandos of World War II....
and Afghan Freedom Fighters captured the town of Shawali Kowt, but could not gain control over a vital bridge over the Arghandab River
Arghandab River
Arghandab is a river in Afghanistan, about in length. It rises in the Hazarajat country north-west of Ghazni, and flows south-west falls into the Helmand below Girishk. In its lower course it is much used for irrigation, and the valley is cultivated and populous; yet the water is said to be...
, the gateway to the Taliban spiritual center of Kandahar
Kandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
. That night, the Taliban forces launched a major counterattack, triggering a retreat by the Afghans. Over the next eight hours, despite being outnumbered two to one and in grave danger and being overrun, the Americans fought back hard. Air Force Sgt. Alex Yoshimoto, the combat controller, orchestrated numerous air strikes from a variety of fighters and bombers, thwarting the Taliban charge and forcing the enemy to retreat.