Nawzad, Afghanistan
Encyclopedia
Nawzad is a small town, the centre of Nawzad District
in Helmand Province
, Afghanistan
. It is located at 32.4000°N 64.4667°E at an altitude of 1221 metres ASL
.
even began building a school. But by early 2007, the estimated 10,000 civilian population, including Nawzad's police force, had fled, driven out by violence from returning Taliban insurgents.
In the years following, Nawzad became a ghost town and British
, Ghurka, and Estonian forces only managed to maintain a stalemate in the region. Now Zad became one of the most bitterly contested districts since British forces first moved into Helmand in 2006.
In December 2007 a small force of a British Army OMLT (Operational Mentoring & Liaison Team) with 7 soldiers drawn from 26 Regiment, Royal Artillery & 151 (London) Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps who were mentoring a company of approximately 70 ANA soldiers supported by 14 soldiers from US Special Forces Task Force 232 deployed from Camp Shorabak. The task was to provide a diversion for the upcoming Operation Mar Karadad (The re-taking of Musa Qualeh). This was done by mounting a deliberate attack on Nipple Compound, a Taliban Compound to the South of Now Zad.
In 2008, U.S. Marines arrived to replace the British and Estonian contingents. However, as of June 2009, the Marines seemed to have come to a similar standstill with the Taliban insurgents..
In December 2009, they reported to have pressed into a remote Taliban stronghold during the joint American-British Operation "Cobra's Anger" .
Nawzad District
Nawzad is a district in the north of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Its population, which is 100% Pashtun, was estimated at 51,170 in 2002. The district centre is the village of Nawzad; there are 14 other large villages and over 100 smaller settlements....
in Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, 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...
. It is located at 32.4000°N 64.4667°E at an altitude of 1221 metres ASL
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
.
Conflict
During the early post-Taliban years, the town thrived. People came for miles to its bazaar; the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
even began building a school. But by early 2007, the estimated 10,000 civilian population, including Nawzad's police force, had fled, driven out by violence from returning Taliban insurgents.
In the years following, Nawzad became a ghost town and British
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, Ghurka, and Estonian forces only managed to maintain a stalemate in the region. Now Zad became one of the most bitterly contested districts since British forces first moved into Helmand in 2006.
In December 2007 a small force of a British Army OMLT (Operational Mentoring & Liaison Team) with 7 soldiers drawn from 26 Regiment, Royal Artillery & 151 (London) Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps who were mentoring a company of approximately 70 ANA soldiers supported by 14 soldiers from US Special Forces Task Force 232 deployed from Camp Shorabak. The task was to provide a diversion for the upcoming Operation Mar Karadad (The re-taking of Musa Qualeh). This was done by mounting a deliberate attack on Nipple Compound, a Taliban Compound to the South of Now Zad.
In 2008, U.S. Marines arrived to replace the British and Estonian contingents. However, as of June 2009, the Marines seemed to have come to a similar standstill with the Taliban insurgents..
In December 2009, they reported to have pressed into a remote Taliban stronghold during the joint American-British Operation "Cobra's Anger" .
See also
- Battle of Now ZadBattle of Now ZadThe Battle of Now Zad is an ongoing battle since 2006 between ISAF coalition forces and Taliban insurgents in Nawzad at the center of Nawzad district, in the northern half of Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan....
- Battle of Musa QalaBattle of Musa QalaThe Battle of Musa Qala was a military action in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, launched by the Afghan National Army and the International Security Assistance Force against the Taliban on 7 December 2007. After three days of intense fighting, the Taliban retreated into the mountains on...
- Siege of SanginSiege of SanginThe Siege of Sangin lasted between June 2006 and April 2007, during which time Taliban insurgents besieged the district centre of Sangin District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, occupied by British ISAF soldiers. During the siege, fighting became intensive, causing General David J...
- Helmand Province campaignHelmand province campaignThe Helmand province campaign is a series of military operations conducted by ISAF forces against Taliban insurgents in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan...
– ongoing ISAF campaign in Helmand Province, Afghanistan