Asadabad, Afghanistan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Asadabad اسعدآباد Chaghasarai (چغسرای)
City
Asadabad view
Asadabad, Afghanistan Location in Afghanistan
Country	Afghanistan
Province	Kunar
District	Asadabad
Elevation	827 m (2,713 ft)
Population
• Total	48,400
Time zone	+ 4.30

Asadabad (Dari: اسعدآباد), also known as Chaghasarai (چغسرای), is the main city of Kunar Province in Afghanistan. It is located in the eastern part of the country. The city sits in a valley where the Pech River and Kunar River meet. Mountains run along both sides of the valley.

Asadabad is in the Hindu Kush mountains. It is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of the Pakistani border. It is also about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Jalalabad, another city in Afghanistan. Asadabad is a place where many goods are traded. The Nawa Pass, a major crossing point, is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Asadabad. This pass is important for trade in the region.

On August 14, 2021, Asadabad was taken over by Taliban fighters. It was one of many provincial capitals captured during the 2021 Taliban offensive.

A Look at Asadabad's Past

The area around Asadabad, called Kunar Province, has always been important. It is near old trade routes like the Silk Road. These routes connected places like Central Asia, India, and Iran. Asadabad is special because two big rivers, the Kunar River and the Pech River, meet there.

Many empires have ruled this region over time. These include the Persians and the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. The Yousufzai Tribe also had control. Even Alexander the Great passed nearby on his way to India. Asadabad was also close to Kafiristan, a part of Afghanistan that became Muslim later on.

In the past, the area near Asadabad was known as "Chagha Sarai." This name was spelled in different ways.

Emperor Babur, who lived in the late 1400s and early 1500s, wrote about taking over the town. He mentioned it briefly in his book, Baburnama. He also wrote about people called Kaffirs, who he said helped defend the town against him.

In the late 1800s or early 1900s, the main city of the region moved to where Asadabad is today. Over the 20th century, many improvements were made. These included new roads, shopping areas, schools, and a bridge.

Soviet-Afghan War Years

The Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1988) began with some of the first uprisings in Kunar province. Asadabad became a Soviet military base during this war.

In January 1979, a large group of fighters tried to capture the town. It was the main base for the Afghan Army's 9th Division.

In 1985, during the Battle of Maravar Pass, Afghan Mujahideen fighters defeated 31 Soviet troops.

Mujahideen Control

After the Soviets left, the rebel Mujahideen took control of Asadabad. A group called Hizb-e-Islami had a lot of power in the area. Osama bin Laden also spent time in Asadabad.

On April 20, 1991, two missiles hit the marketplace in Asadabad. This caused many deaths and injuries. The explosions destroyed the headquarters of a leader named Jamil al-Rahman.

War on Terror (2001-2021)

In 2001, the War on Terror started, and forces entered Afghanistan, including Kunar Province. A military base called Camp Wright was set up near Asadabad. This camp was originally built by the Soviets.

The city was taken by the Taliban on August 14, 2021. This was part of a larger offensive by the Taliban.

Asadabad's Weather

Asadabad has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, wet summers and mild winters. The average yearly temperature in Asadabad is about 18.1°C (64.6°F). About 960 millimeters (37.8 inches) of rain falls each year.

Asadabad's Economy

About 10% to 15% of the valley around Asadabad is used for farming. Farmers use an old method called terracing to grow crops on hillsides. Wheat, rice, sugarcane, and vegetables are the main crops. Flooding and soil erosion have been problems in the past. Different international groups are helping with these issues.

Since 2009, Asadabad has seen a lot of growth:

• The main market in Kunar province now has over 600 stores. Just three years before, it had only 100.
• Teams have built 16 schools, 20 medical clinics, and 8 district centers.
• They have also completed 13 roads and 11 bridges.
• Farming development teams have many projects and over 10 demonstration farms.
• New roads have cut travel times in half. They connect Asadabad's trade centers with Jalalabad.

Law Enforcement and Security

The Afghan National Police helps keep the city and district safe. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), led by the United States armed forces, also helps. They assist the Afghan government in developing the area. They also train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). This includes the Afghan Border Police and the Afghan Armed Forces.

Sports in Asadabad

The Kunar Cricket Ground opened in 2018. It has hosted important cricket matches. These include games in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament.

A famous moment happened at this ground in 2018. A player named Shafiqullah scored a very fast double century (200 runs). He scored 200 runs without being out, using only 89 balls. He also hit 24 sixes in that match, which was a record.

People and Events

• U.S. Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy received a special award, the Medal of Honor, after he died. This was for his brave actions during Operation Red Wings. This event happened near Asadabad in 2005.
• US military operations like "Big East Wind" and Operation Mountain Lion took place in the area.

Sister Cities

• Union City, California, United States

Images for kids

• 

  U.S. Ambassador Hans G. Klemm and Kunar Governor Fazlullah Wahidi walking through Asadabad in May 2011.

• 

  Inside a courtroom in Asadabad.

• 

  An Afghan father and his child walk down a street in Asadabad (September 30, 2009).

• 

  Members of the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-Kunar) walk in the streets of Asadabad.

• 

  U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Cruz on patrol with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in Asadabad in August 2009.

See also

In Spanish: Asadabad para niños