Coalition Combat Operations in Afghanistan in 2007 - November To December

November To December

On November 2, 2007, Afghan security forces killed a top-ranking militant, Mawlawi Abdul Manan, after he was caught trying to cross into Afghanistan from neighboring Pakistan. The Taliban confirmed his death.

On November 10, 2007, the Taliban ambushed a patrol in eastern Afghanistan, killing six American and three Afghan soldiers while losing only one insurgent. This attack brings the U.S. death toll for 2007 to 100, making it the deadliest year for Americans in Afghanistan.

Operation Commando Fury was a joint Afghan-coalition operation that took place on November 10-14, 2007. Six insurgents were killed and six were captured.

The Battle of Musa Qala took place in December 2007. Prior to the battle, in August 2006, a contingent of British and Afghan troops disrupted Taliban operations in the Musa Qala area, after fierce fighting (Operation Snakebite). British forces continued to occupy the area until October 2006 when, in a controversial move to reduce civilian casualties, control was then ceded to local tribal elders. Afghan units were the principal fighting force, supported by British forces. Two thousand Taliban troops occupied the area in October and November, and in November, Afghan and British troops prepared for an assault to remove them. The ISAF advised that the Taliban insurgents had withdrawn north from the area and Afghan Army units and ISAF forces were in control of the town.